Tomte, Nisse, Tonttu

biko

A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore. Tomte or Nisse were believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night when the housefolk were asleep.
The Swedish name tomte is derived from a place of residence and area of influence: the house lot or tomt. The Finnish name is tonttu. Nisse is the common name in Norwegian, Danish and the Scanian dialect in southernmost Sweden; it is a nickname for Nils, and its usage in folklore comes from expressions such as Nisse god dräng (Nisse good lad, cf. Robin Goodfellow).

The tomte was not always a popular figure, particularly during and after the Christianization of Scandinavia. Like most creatures of folklore he would be seen as heathen (pre-Christian) and be demonized and connected to the Devil. Farmers believing in the house tomte could be seen as worshipping false gods or demons; in a famous 14th century decree Saint Birgitta warns against the worship of tompta gudhi, "tomte gods" (Revelationes, book VI, ch. 78). Folklore added other negative beliefs about the tomte, such as that having a tomte on the farm meant you put the fate of your soul at risk, or that you had to perform various non-Christian rites to lure a tomte to your farm.

deman

In Finland nowadays, Tonttu are normally associated with Christmas as Santa's little helpers or elves.

Tabnabs

Great topic Magnus!

We have many Nisse figures which get placed around the house at Jul, the kids love searching them out.

And we'll be singing our favourite carol this year again

På låven sitter nissen
Margrethe Munthe (1860-1931)

På låven sitter nissen med sin julegrøt,
så god og søt, så god og søt.
Han nikker, og han smiler, og han er så glad,
for julegrøten vil han gjerne ha.
Men rundt omkring står alle de små rotter,
og de skotter, og de skotter.
De vil også gjerne ha litt julegotter,
og de danser, danser rundt i ring.

Men nissen, se han truer med sin store skje:
"Nei, bare se og kom av sted,
for julegrøten min den vil jeg ha i fred,
og ingen, ingen vil jeg dele med."
Men rottene de hopper, og de danser,
og de svinser, og de svanser,
og de klorer etter grøten, og de stanser,
og de står om nissen tett i ring.

Men nissefar, han er en liten hissigpropp,
og med sin kropp han gjør et hopp.
"Jeg henter katten hvis de ikke holder opp!
Når katten kommer, skal det nok bli stopp."
Da løper alle rottene så bange,
ja, så bange, ja, så bange,
og de svinser, og de svanser noen ganger,
og i en, to tre så er de vekk.