In the Netherlands we call these kabouters. They either do tasks or housework or take things from our homes. It's a thing we still believe today. If a household task happened without anyone knowing or doing it, it is the kabouters. But if something got lost and is nowhere to be found, again, it is the kabouters. Also, in the Netherlands and in Vlaanderen we had this popular show called Kabouter Plop. We like kabouters a lot
There are similar spirits in the UK, sometimes called Brownies or Hobs (lots of other names as well that vary from region to region). Here you're supposed to leave them a bowl of milk or cream rather than porridge.
Was so excited for this one! I am studying my Swedish and Norwegian ancestry and the house nisse is by far my favorite spiritual animistic tradition. I leave oatmeal with honey out at my alter for them where I live. I also read that some believe the nisse is the spirit or aspect of the farmer that first cultivated the land and farm
I'm Canadian but my ex-partner is Danish, so I got to spend the holidays in Denmark in 2020. Nisse was one of my favorite traditions/folklore there, along with risalamande! It's funny cause a similar thing came to my country around 10 years ago, where parents would buy these mischievous puppets and place them in ways that looked like they did pranks or misbehaved to surprise kids during the holidays. It's not something from our own folklore, it was just a new trend for us but now that I think of it, it has to be tied to the Nisse stories packaged in a modern way. I also grew up in a neurodivergent household where things would get misplaced all the time, so my mom would blame the "lutin" for stealing our stuff and we would talk to them to get it back. Again, not really part of common local folklore, just something my mom said but it shows that house spirits are in so many cultures! Canada is also built from diasporas so for sure, we'll be influenced by stories from our ancestors' cultures. I love these, they add character and whimsy to a place 😊
We have something very similar in Wales called a Bwbach. They live around the hearth or anywhere that is the heart of the home and enjoy bread, milk or cake. Some believe that if the household Bwbach is mistreated they may turn into a vengeful spirit called a Bwgan
T hank yo u! So needed! I trisd giving mine offetings, but it krpt demanding more. I can't bannish him and now he's trying to kill me, so hearing this is relueving. I've only heatd all good things about house spirits. I was wondering if my house spirit was a land spirit and if the house was built on top, he could be both. There were passed prople here too, so yesh. It specifically wants all my energy. I've never heard of this. It's also trying to keep itself attachef to me, so it won't let me move. I wonder if another would help. me keep him away. This helps to find resources. Much thanks. ❤
I live in America. My sister loves little statues of gnomes. She has little gnome statues all over the house and in the garden. Gnomes have become popular in recent American pop culture. Are they the same as the Tomte and Nis Puk? is it possible to get a Nis Puk or Tomte here in America? My sister would love that! 🥰
The only thing I know about Vätte from my Trolldom training is that it’s a more general term for any kind of spirit, and that people often preferred to use that term in favor of more specific ones in conversation, because the thought was if you talk about a specific spirit, it will come… so maybe the term was simply used interchangeably. Just like we nowadays often just call it „house spirit“ or „spirit“
In the Netherlands we call these kabouters. They either do tasks or housework or take things from our homes. It's a thing we still believe today. If a household task happened without anyone knowing or doing it, it is the kabouters. But if something got lost and is nowhere to be found, again, it is the kabouters.
Also, in the Netherlands and in Vlaanderen we had this popular show called Kabouter Plop. We like kabouters a lot
There are similar spirits in the UK, sometimes called Brownies or Hobs (lots of other names as well that vary from region to region). Here you're supposed to leave them a bowl of milk or cream rather than porridge.
Was so excited for this one! I am studying my Swedish and Norwegian ancestry and the house nisse is by far my favorite spiritual animistic tradition. I leave oatmeal with honey out at my alter for them where I live. I also read that some believe the nisse is the spirit or aspect of the farmer that first cultivated the land and farm
I'm Canadian but my ex-partner is Danish, so I got to spend the holidays in Denmark in 2020. Nisse was one of my favorite traditions/folklore there, along with risalamande!
It's funny cause a similar thing came to my country around 10 years ago, where parents would buy these mischievous puppets and place them in ways that looked like they did pranks or misbehaved to surprise kids during the holidays. It's not something from our own folklore, it was just a new trend for us but now that I think of it, it has to be tied to the Nisse stories packaged in a modern way.
I also grew up in a neurodivergent household where things would get misplaced all the time, so my mom would blame the "lutin" for stealing our stuff and we would talk to them to get it back. Again, not really part of common local folklore, just something my mom said but it shows that house spirits are in so many cultures! Canada is also built from diasporas so for sure, we'll be influenced by stories from our ancestors' cultures.
I love these, they add character and whimsy to a place 😊
We have something very similar in Wales called a Bwbach. They live around the hearth or anywhere that is the heart of the home and enjoy bread, milk or cake. Some believe that if the household Bwbach is mistreated they may turn into a vengeful spirit called a Bwgan
Aaaaand I'm down the next rabbithole to see what southern germany has to offer in folklore xD Puk always reminds me of Der Club der toten Dichter
Please report back!
I'm making it a yule tradition starting this year to watch There's Something in the Barn every year. Love that movie
Here in the USA it's called The Gnome we believe that they're here to protect the house from any negative spirits that might be lurking
I don't think I have one. I'm not sure there are many here in America. Thank you! This was very interesting.
Sure she doesnt care but absolutely stunning look this 1 has ! Your gorgeous
I love these spirits! Do you know of any good resources in English? I’m interested in the stories as well as any scholarly information!
T hank yo u! So needed! I trisd giving mine offetings, but it krpt demanding more. I can't bannish him and now he's trying to kill me, so hearing this is relueving. I've only heatd all good things about house spirits. I was wondering if my house spirit was a land spirit and if the house was built on top, he could be both. There were passed prople here too, so yesh. It specifically wants all my energy. I've never heard of this. It's also trying to keep itself attachef to me, so it won't let me move. I wonder if another would help. me keep him away. This helps to find resources. Much thanks. ❤
I live in America. My sister loves little statues of gnomes. She has little gnome statues all over the house and in the garden. Gnomes have become popular in recent American pop culture. Are they the same as the Tomte and Nis Puk? is it possible to get a Nis Puk or Tomte here in America? My sister would love that! 🥰
Besides the tomte, in Sweden we also have the Vätte, which seems similar to a Tomte but not exactly. Gotta read up and figure out the difference 🤔
The only thing I know about Vätte from my Trolldom training is that it’s a more general term for any kind of spirit, and that people often preferred to use that term in favor of more specific ones in conversation, because the thought was if you talk about a specific spirit, it will come… so maybe the term was simply used interchangeably. Just like we nowadays often just call it „house spirit“ or „spirit“