Iceland

1. Written by Alicia Lowe, Lisa
Stensgard, and Kathleen Intile
Picture by: my.opera.com
K.I.

2.  Iceland is a Northern European country close to
the Atlantic Ocean with a total land mass of 40,000
square miles with a population of 320,000 people.
 Icelanders are a people that take great pride in their
culture which encompasses literature, arts, dancing, and
music.
 In this presentation we will illustrate the different aspects of
the Icelandic culture, and show how the culture has evolved
from the early Norse heritage of Ad 874 to present day.
 Iceland and It‟s Culture will be presented according to the
following:
 Alicia Lowe: Icelandic Clothing
 Lisa Stensgard: Iceland : Nonverbal and Verbal Traditions
 Kathleen Intile: Gender roles In Iceland
K.I.

3. Picture from Icelandictimes.is
A.L.

4.  Icelanders have an extensive
history of „costumes.‟ While
there is not a lot of documented
pictures or descriptions before
the 16th Century, since then
more information started
becoming available with
manuscripts and paintings.
Pictures from
 Descriptions of the social classes Wikipedia
can be found in a popular
Icelandic poem called
„Rigsthula.‟
 Most „costumes‟ were worn by
all classes and ages
 In the present day, the
traditional styles of clothing are
worn for ceremonial or special
occasions like weddings,
birthdays, and the National day
(independence day)
A.L..

5. Þjóðbúningurinn  The Fjallkona “Lady of the Mountain”
is a symbol for the Icelandic people
Native term for the Icelandic National
and their dreams to be independent.
Costumes
 Full traditional dress for a woman
would be “the… Skautbúningur,
…with elaborate embroidery, belt of
linked silver, silver brooch and a high
white headdress” (IcelandicTimes.is)
 Þjóðbúningur karla is the men‟s
traditional costume which is wool
trousers, a double buttoned vest,
double-buttoned coat (A treyja) and a
tail cap is usually worn on the head.
Colors were normally darker in tones.
This costume was the most commonly
worn from 17th-19th centuries
(Wikipedia).
 Skautbúningur, worn by the first lady of
Iceland from 1996-1998
(Picture taken from Unilang.org)
A.L.

6.  Artifacts found over the years have
 The textilesused in the Viking Age depicted that long hair was the
of society have not made it norm for both sexes.
through time very well, but little
pieces have taught us a bit about  Large amounts of combs have been
the material used. found in sites that have been
excavated, further implying the
 While most social classes tended Vikings took a great deal of care of
to wear the same thing, some their hair.
evidence can be found showing  Men wore trousers (pants) and a
the differences.
long tunic that was covered with a
cloak, (probably made of out wool)
 A website danishnet.com depicts and held in place with a single
that you can see differences in
social class from the “style and cut brooch.
of the outfit, the materials used  Women were in multiple layers of
and quality of the clothes pins ankle length material, made of both
which held it in place, is a clear wool and linen. Everything would
indication of the owner‟s wealth
and status within their be held in place by a brooch on each
community (for both men and shoulder.
women).” (Danishnet.com)
A.L.

7. ….
….
15. There sat the twain, | and worked at their
tasks: The man hewed wood | for the weaver's  There were a couple of sections
beam; His beard was trimmed, | o'er his brow a
curl, His clothes fitted close; | in the corner a chest. in this Nordic poem that
16. The woman sat | and the distaff wielded, At described clothing that was
the weaving with arms | outstretched she worn by the Icelanders
worked; On her head was a band, | on her breast a
smock; On her shoulders a kerchief | with clasps
somewhere around 1300, but no
there was. exact date can be confirmed.
….
….
28. The lady sat, | at her arms she looked, She  One website calls it a definite
smoothed the cloth, | and fitted the sleeves; Gay “cultural poem that explains on
was her cap, | on her breast were clasps, Broad
was her train, | of blue was her gown, Her brows
a mythological basis the origin
were bright, | her breast was shining, Whiter her of different castes of early
neck | than new-fallen snow. society.” (Sacred-Texts.com)
….
….
(English version excerpts copied from
Cybersamurai.net)
A.L.

8. Picture from Icelandtouristboard.com
 Iceland is a great fashion capital
for “practical, durable, and
fashionable outdoor wear”
(Icelandtouristboard.com
 A traditional piece of clothing
you‟ll see Icelanders wear in this
day and age is the lopapeysa, „a
knitted wool sweater with
special design at the top and on
the sleeves”
(Icelandtouristboard.com)
 Icelanders are casual in their
clothing wear but are able to
keep it fashionable even in the
cold winter months
Lopapeysa, Picture taken
A.L. from IcelandToday.is

9. While clothing has changed over the years, Iceland (like
most every country) has their traditional costumes that are
continued to be worn for important and special events.
There is also their normal wear for everyday life. No
matter what their social class is, or where the location that
they live in is, like many other societies Icelanders will
use clothing to depict who they are by their material self.
According to philosopher William James, the definition of
material self is “the component of self derived from
physical elements that reflect who you are”(Beebe et al
2011, pg 37). This shows who they are as a person through
the clothing they wear.
A.L.

10. Icelanders are very strong in their traditions. They always start all
conversations
With a handshake and end with a handshake. Good eye contact is also
important.
Icelanders are very direct in their speech and expect punctuality every single
time.
L.S.

11.  Icelandic folk music dates
back to the 14th century
 Chain dances, known as
Vilivaki, date back to the
11th century, and are
performed at churches
and at Christmas time
 Children of Iceland prefer
to play folk games, which
go back many generations
Pictures taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik
i/iceland
L.S.

12. Icelandic Musical
Instruments
From left to right:
• The symfon is the medieval
forerunner of musical instruments
and dates from the 13th-17th
century.
• The Gigja (Rebec),a common
Icelandic woman‟s name of the
times, dates back to Medieval
poetry
• The Fiolan, originally made with
two strings of horse hair, was not
made for music but to accompany
songs. They have made a
comeback since the 19th century
• The Harp was mentioned as far
back as the medieval poem
Voluspa (Prophecy of the Seeress)
• The langspil is considered
Iceland‟s National Instrument.
Unsure how far back they date,
the earliest recorded is around
1783
Pictures taken
from:www.leifnorman.net
L.S.

13.  Eddas and Sagas of Iceland
 Eddas are Edic poetry from Nordic
Mythology dating from the 1300-1600s.
 There are several theories on the origin of
the word Edda. Great-grandmother, old
Norse poetry, or an Icelandic place
named Oddi.
 Divided into poetic Edda which are Old
Norse poems from Medieval manuscripts
and the Prose Edda are referred to the
younger Edda, which consists of a
prologue and three books.
 Sagas are historical legends, often
supernatural or mythical elements.
 Pictures taken
from:http://wikipedia.org/wiki/eddas
L.S.

14.  Rimurs are epic poems that
are rhymed.
 There are hundreds of
counting variations to these
meters
 They consist of two or four
lines per stanza that alliterate
 They date back to the 14th
century; the earliest
collection being 1480-90
 Picture taken from:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
ki/sagas
L.S.

15.  In a study done by Alessia Agliati,
antonietta Vescovo, and Luigi
Anolli; Icelanders were known
more for their ball-hand and
pianist gestures, they were more
of the arms-back gestures. They
laughed less-frequently and
seemed to avert their gaze and do
a take-turn more frequently.
Icelandic conversations were
smooth flowing. Icelanders often
avert gaze as a way of showing
respect and not being impolite or
cueing a challenge.
 Pictures taken from:
 www.namasthay.deviantart.com
L.S.

16.  In ancient Iceland, Norse society was male dominated, and women were
under the control of their husbands, according to the Icelandic law book
Gragas (Short, 1996, pg.1).
 Women were therefore restricted in their behavior.
 They were forbidden to wear men's clothing, cut their hair short, and to
carry weapons of any kind.
 Gender roles at this time were extremely defined, and the roles of both
genders were understood.
 Crossover gender behaviors were strongly forbidden by law, and any
man or woman trying to cross the gender line in any way would be
punished, and they would ultimately be be ostracized by their
communities.
 During these times there were many differences in the responsibilities
between the genders, and these differences could be explained by saying
that it “was located at the door of the house”(Short, 1996,pg.2). In other
words everything in the house was the woman‟s responsibility while
everything outside of the house was the mans.(hurstwic.org)
K.I.

17.  In Norse society women had great
freedom and were highly respected by
their society.
 They ran the finances of the family.
 They ran the farm in times when their
husbands were away.
 If they became widows they could own
land, and become wealthy.
 Gragas also protected women‟s private
life from any unwelcomed attention.
 The Norse woman was given many more
freedoms and protection by law than
women in European society.
 Picture taken from
vorogsaga.blogspot.com
K.I.

18.  It is not until the 1850”s that gender equality begins to
happen for women.
1850-1899
 Women are awarded the same inheritance rights as men.
Before this time daughters were only allowed by law to
1/3 of their inheritance.
1869
 The first women‟s association was formed.
1882
 Limited voting rights are awarded to widows and
unmarried women. It is not until 1902 that all women have
the right to vote.
K.I.

19. 1900
 Married women are finally given the right to control their
personal property and income.
1920
 All women gain national suffrage and the right to hold
office.
1921
 A new marital law guarantees equality for all spouses.
1961
 The equal pay act is established which gave equal pay
between the genders.
1976
 The first gender equality act is enacted.
 The gender equality council is founded.
1995
 Equal rights of all men and all women is stated in the
constitution.
K.I.

20. 1997
 Fathers get the right to two weeks maternity/paternity leave
for each child born.
2003
 Fathers get the right to three months maternity/paternity
leave.
2010
 Maternity/Paternity leave has now expanded to three
months for the father, three months for the mother, and
another three months for the parents to split. This total
maternity/paternity leave gives the parents nine months of
total maternity/paternity leave. (eng.velferdarraduneyti.is)
K.I.

21.  The ministry of Welfare in Iceland has been responsible
for enacting and implementing gender legislation for
all of its citizens, and the centre for gender Equality is
the organization responsible for its administration.
 The centre is a national agency and is charge of
implementing the Act on Equal Status and the Equal
Rights of Women and Men. The goal of this
organization is to promote gender equality in all
aspects of Icelandic society. (centre of welfare).
K.I.

22.  Gender roles for Iceland have been progressive even during
ancient times. Although gender roles were very much defined
Nordic women were given freedoms and responsibilities not seen
in other parts of the world.
 Beginning in the early 1800‟s Iceland began moving towards
gender equality for all of it‟s people, a result of this can to
attributed to the typical family economy. This can be explained by
the theory that all members of the family contributed to the
economy of the family(Magnusson, 2006). Both parents took a
similar role in support and survival of their family. The traditional
genders roles were no longer being followed, and Iceland began to
move towards true gender equality for all of its people. Iceland
has been an example to the world on how to approach true
communication and cooperation between its citizens on gender
equality.
K.I.

23. Iceland is a beautiful country no matter the time of year
you visit. While they have traditions that continue to
take place, they have moved forward in views and
values as the times have changed. Lisa was able to show
how children continue to play folk games while music
and poetry are continued to be handed down to each
generation, along with types of communication that
they find important. Kathie expressed how gender roles
have been divided and strictly enforced throughout the
country‟s history, but since the 1850‟s they have come
together and become more equal. And Alicia showed
how the clothing has influenced the people and how
they express themselves in society. If you get an inkling
to visit a country abroad, give Iceland a chance, the
people will welcome you with open arms.
A.L.

24.  Why do you think the handshake and direct eye contact is so
important to the Icelandic people?
 What is the most important thing you learned about the Icelandic
culture's way of life? Why?
 Why do you think Iceland is so open about their views on gender
neutral relationships?
 Why do the folklore, poems, and sagas have such an enormous
impact on the culture and history?
 If religion is such an important part of their lives (93% call
themselves religious), why do studies show there's only a 23%
attendance rate?
L.S.

25. Modern Fairy Tales ? Gender Roles in Icelandic Society. Saga XXXV (1997), pp.137-77. Date accessed February 17th, 2012 From:
www.akademia.is/sigm/fairytales.html
Cybersamurai.net (2005-2006). Rigspula.Date of Access February 16th, 2012 From:
http://www.cybersamurai.net/Mythology/nordic_gods/LegendsSagas/Edda/poeticEdda/Rigsthula.html
DanishNet. (2008-2012).Viking Clothing= What did the Vikings Wear? Date of Access February 16th, 2012 From:
http://www.danishnet.com/info.php/vikings/clothing-137.html
Accessed February 14th, 2012 From: www.darkcompany.ca/articles/NorseMusicBInstruments
Gender Equality. Equality. Accessed: Feburary18th, 2012 From: eng.velferdarraduneyti.is>task
Accessed February 14th, 2012 From: www.emergingcommunication.com
Hurstwic:The Role of Women in Viking Society (1996-2012). Date of Access February 18th, 2012 From:
www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/society/text/women.htm
Icelandictimes. (2007-2012).Iceland Symbolized in Clothes. Date of Access Date of Access February 18th, 2012 From:
http;//icelandictimes.is/section.php?id_=1340
IcelandTouristBoard.(2009). About Iceland. Date of Access February 28th, 2012From:
http;//www.icelandtouristboard.com/index.php?page=About-Iceland#shopping
Sacred-texts.(n.d.). Rigspula. Dateof Access February 18th, 2012 From: http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe14.htm
Wikipedia. (2012, January). Date of Access February 28th, 2012 From: http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
K.I.