top of page
Nordic Folklore and Traditions in Scandinavia
Norse Ghosts
The Norse ghosts are not as most would think, they are not wraiths or disembodied spirits, in fact they are "animated corpses, solid bodies, generally mischievous, and greatly to be feared." In the Scandinavian ghost stories are generally men, they are rarely found far from the grave. The Islendingasögur (Icelandic Saga) include the spirits of "historical novels", yet unlike the Scandinavian ghosts, the Icelandic ghosts know no boundaries and have no limitations as they are free to wonder whether it be before or after their burial (Chadwick, 1946).
There are two ways when it comes to preventing the ghosts from leaving their burial grounds. The first way is that a living man man must enter the barrow (burial ground) and fight the draugr, then he must cut off the head of the draugr; the second way is for the wife of the ghost to perform "suttee" or in Hindu practice "sati", this means that the widow will sacrifice herself while laying on top or beside her husbands body (Chadwick, 1946).
In Norse Ghosts, The story of the shepherd Glámr from Sylgsdalr in Sweden is known to be one of the most horrific ghosts. The story goes as follows: Glámr went to work at a farm in Iceland as a hireling and died a supernatural death, after his death he would haunt the farm, he would go on to kill the servants and the livestock on the farm. Grettir the Strong, the hero of this story becomes the undertaker of the farm. Glámr enters the farm and is met by Grettir, in this moment a horrible fight begins, and Grettir forces Glámr out of the farm door, and throws him to the ground leading Glámr to fall on top of Grettir. The moon begins to shine on the both of them, Glámr rolls his eyes up to the moon, a horrifying sight, the white moonlight as it hits Glámr's eyes would be a sight Grettir would never forget until the day he died (Chadwick, 1948).
Ghost stories are told all around the world, they have been told for many years and will continue to be told for the years to come. Many ghost stories are told at sleepovers, around the fire, around fiends, family, and even in an education setting. Although many people view ghost stories as something to pass the time, they can actually hold important meanings.
bottom of page