Icelandic culture is deep-seeded in old traditions, with a heritage that dates back to the Viking era. Here are the top 10 that folks are still keeping alive:
- December traditions — from making Laufabrauð (leaf bread), 13 Yule Lads, the Christmas Cat, eating skate (rotten fish), to celebrating on the 24th night!
- Fireworks! The only legal times you can buy and launch fireworks is between Christmas and New Years and again on Jan. 6.
- Jan. 6 celebration of “burn off Christmas.” The 6th is called Þrettándinn (Thirteenth Night After Christmas). It marks the end of all the holidays. It's celebrated by festive dinners, bonfires, dancing, people dressing up as elves, trolls, and an abundance of fireworks!
- Þorrablót is a mid-winter festival where folks eat all of the really old traditional foods, like rams' testicles, liver sausage, boiled sheep head, pickled blubber, etc!
- Naming ceremonies. When folks have children in Iceland, it's common to not reveal the name until 6+ months after it they're born. They have a big ceremony where they unveil the name and have a party. Often at this party a traditional kransakaka is served (a “ring cake” which is also served at weddings and other celebratory events).
- There are no family last names in Iceland. Rather, the child takes the first name of the father (IE, Jonas) and either “son” or “dottir” is added, which indicates they're the son or daughter of Jonas. To illustrate, “Jonasson” or “Jonasdottir.” If parents travel with their child internationally, they have to carry birth certificates and letters from the other parent if needed.
- On March 1 each year, Bjordagur (Beer Day) is celebrated to honor the end of prohibition (1989). Typically, the local beer companies launch a new beer to try.
- Bolludagur (Bun Day) is Iceland's version of “Fat Tuesday,” where they gorge on cream-filled donuts before Lent begins.
- Rímur (old Icelandic rhymes).
- Réttir is typically the second week of September and is a time where the sheep are herded back to the farms from grazing in the highlands.
- Turf houses can still be seen throughout the countryside as museums showcasing how previous generations used to live. They're also now repurposed as animal houses to shield them from bad weather.
- The Icelandic language is the oldest tradition still kept in the highest regard. Being a tiny island in the North Atlantic, it is one of longest-lasting original languages in the world.
Hope you've enjoyed learning and we look forward to sharing more with you!
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