The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Qupperneq 41

Vol. 61 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
179
assume then that into the twentieth century
the average Icelander made most of his own
clothing, purchasing yard goods for sewing
the outer clothing, producing knitted wool
articles from their own wool and possibly
still making some of their own shoes. This
would be especially true of the districts that
were settled later than the Gimli area as one
writer states that it took approximately fif-
teen years to get established.
Some customs associated with holidays
and special occasions were still observed.
For instance “while Christmas presents as
such were not the order of the day, the
Icelandic housewife, in accordance with an
old tradition endeavoured to supply every
member of the family with something new
to wear. The article might be insignificant
such as a pair of wristlets, mittens or a scarf.
The important thing for every individual
was to acquire something new in wearing
apparel.”
The first account of celebrating August
2, the Icelandic national holiday, in the New
World, occurred in 1874 which was a special
year as it was the thousandth anniversary of
Iceland’s nationhood. The Icelanders in
Milwaukee at that time commemorated the
occasion with a church service, a parade and
a picnic. “This parade was led by two men
in the costumes of ancient Iceland. Most of
the women were in the national costume in
vogue in Iceland at that time. All in the
group were very nationalistic in character. ”
Although there were references to early
celebrations of August 2nd among the
Canadian settlers I could find no reference
to the clothing worn on these occasions.
However one can surely assume that a cus-
tom established in the first celebration on
this continent would be continued at others.
Certainly it is the case today. The strik-
ing national costumes are worn by the
women for public occasions such as the
Islendingadagurinn at Gimli in August and
for events like Folklorama. I was told by a
member of the present generation that they
were worn in her home at private celebra-
tions, like confirmation, for Christmas and
on occasions when for some reason an
Icelandic meal is being served. As she grew
up in a district that has few other Icelandic
families I assumed that this practice would
be general among Icelandic families.
However, in talking to another Icelandic-
Canadian of about the same age from a
town that has a good sized Icelandic com-
munity, I learned that she had never worn
the the national costume.
The version usually worn here in
Canada is the upphlutur. In many cases it is
not possible to acquire all the accou-
trements and the costume has to be impro-
vised. For example lace might be used to
imitate the embroidery on the bodice. Here
in Canada the faldur is sometimes worn
with the upphlutur although traditionally it
is only with the skautbuningur.
The”kyrtill” dress is the basis of the
“Fjallkona” or “Maid of the Mountain”
costume worn here. At Icelandic celebra-
tions the “Fjallkona” represents the spirit of
Iceland who brings geetings from Iceland to
the “children of Iceland.” She is a central
figure at Islendingadagurinn and is usually
represented by a mature woman of standing