Since going to Iceland over a year ago, I’ve been fascinated by the country and would really love to go back and visit again, maybe for a longer time! I’m sure many bloggers will be writing about the Yule lads, but as I’ve only recently discovered them I have become fascinated by the traditions associated with them.
There are thirteen Yule lads, who visit in the days running up to Christmas, beginning Stekkjarstaur, or Sheep-Cote Clod, who arrives on December 12th. The lads are part of Icelandic folk stories, the myths which have passed down through the ages. The Yule lads or Yulemen these days are mischievous creatures who put gifts in the shoes of good children, but in the part they were seen as being a little more malicious, sometimes even as monsters; they are named according to their characteristics, and are thought to be a sort of mountain troll who comes down to human folk in the depths of winter. These days, they are more fun, more like Father Christmas figures.
Stekkjarstaur, who arrived two days ago and will stay until December 25th, worries sheep… but he is not very good at it as he has stiff peg-legs. Yesterday Giljagaur came to visit, Gully Gawk, who lives in gullies and sneaks down to steal milk. So today it is Stúfur, Stubby, who is very short as his name suggests, and steals dirty pans to eat what is left stuck to the sides of them.
I think it is a delightful tradition and I’d love to be in Iceland now to see them!
Lois Elsden 