If you follow any travel accounts on social media, chances are that your feed has been flooded by beautiful shots of Iceland’s pristine landscapes. From snow-capped mountains to sprawling glaciers, Iceland has drawn in millions of travelers who hope to see and experience its rugged and wild landscapes.
However, there is so much more to this amazing country than its “perfect Instagram spots.” In fact, Icelanders are a fascinating people, with an interesting history and rich cultural traditions! Let’s dive in and discover 9 of the most intriguing and interesting Icelandic traditions (which we bet you didn’t know about!).
1. Þorrablót (Thorri feast)
Before the 10th Century, when Christianity spread throughout Iceland, the vast majority of Icelanders worshipped the Norse Gods. During the calendar month of Thorri (which in today's terms runs from mid-January to mid-February), locals would celebrate a mid-winter festival called Þorrablót (transliterated as Thorrablot) in which Icelanders would ask the Norse God Thor for good weather.
This historical festival was officially banned during the Christianization of Iceland, and it returned 1874 when Icelanders gained religious freedom. Today, it is celebrated as a winter feast, with traditional culinary delicacies, such as foiled lamb's head, fermented Greenland shark, and whale blubber! To wash it all down, locals take shots of Brennivín – also known as Black Death – Iceland’s signature spirit.
2. Sólarkaffi (Sun Coffee)
As you can imagine, winters in Iceland are cold--and dark. In fact, some mountainous communities in Iceland barely see the sun at all for nearly two months in the dead of winter. So, it really comes as no surprise that Icelanders want to commemorate the day when the sun finally peeks out from behind the mountains. Many residents in these towns celebrate (either collectively or individually) with a cup of "sun coffee" and a large order of pancakes or other pastries.
3. Bjordagur – Beer Day
Iceland experienced 74 years of "beer prohibition," from the year 1915 until 1989. Today, to commemorate the end of the beer ban, Iceland celebrates Beer Day on March 1st. This special day is celebrated with --yep, you guessed it--drinking lots of beer in Iceland's restaurants, bars, and clubs. The capital city of Reykjavik is renowned for its Beer Day celebrations!
4. Bolludagur (Cream Bun Day)
The beginning of Christian Lent brings with it a very special celebration known as Bolludagur, or Bun Day. It is the first of a three-day holiday filled with over-indulgences in rich food. Bolludagur, which originated in either Denmark or Norway, has been celebrate din Iceland since the 19th century. Traditionally, children get to "spank" their parents out of bed, yelling "Bolla!" (Bun!), and, for each swat, they get to eat a rich, cream-filled bun!
Though not all families celebrate the day in quite the same way, it is still celebrated with lots of creamy bun goodness! Now this is a tradition that we can really get on board with!
5. Ash Wednesday
Not many people celebrate Ash Wednesday like the Icelanders do! Though not all residents practice Christianity, Ash Wednesday is a favorite holiday--especially by children! This day is a "Halloween" of sorts, in which children dress up in costume and sing for candy and sweets! Of course, it's also a tradition t o sneakily prank people by hanging bags of ash on them!
6. Sumardagurinn Fyrsti (the first day of summer)
With such long winters, summertime is a time of celebration. The first day of summer typically takes place in late April, and it is celebrated with a Children's Parade in many communities, and of course, great food! Though it's not always celebrated today, the festival has a great historical significance, as it signified the changing of the seasons in traditional Icelandic calendar.
7. Þjóðhátíð (Westman Islands festival)
In August of every year, almost 20,000 people attend the historic Westman Islands festival, which is almost a century old. This Icelandic holiday involves several different events, including Icelandic wrestling, musical concerts, and spranga, a local sport that involves scaling and swinging in the rocks of Heymaey, the largest island off the Icelandic coast. On the final night, Icelanders get together to light red flares, one for every night the festival has been in existence.
8. Réttir (sheep round-up)
Every year in September, Icelanders all over the country take part in a major social event known as the sheep round-up. At this even, farmers on horseback wander for miles in order to round up over 800,000 sheep from the countryside. Farmers find their sheep and then funnel them into ancient stone pens called réttirs. If you’re an experienced horse rider, you can take part in this cultural activity by joining one of the tour companies that allow tourists to participate.
9. Gryla and the Yule Lads
Strange as it may seem to North Americans, Christmas in Iceland was historically a time to terrify children with stories of Gryla, a child-eating ogre, and her child-eating offspring, the Yule Lads. However, Iceland passed a law in 1746, which prohibited adults from scaring children with nightmarish characters. After that point, the tradition was altered, and nowadays parents leave gifts in children’s shoes. The seasonal scares end on Christmas Eve when presents are swapped.
Which Iceland tradition would you like to experience the most?
Post written by Grace Klopp