Elves, fairies, trolls and ghosts.

The majority of Icelanders believe in Huldufólk (hidden people) and since coming here two weeks ago I’ve had the chance to learn a bit about these supernatural beliefs. I’m afraid I could never be persuaded to believe in the supernatural, but in this fairy-tale landscape even I can see why people might think they’re sharing their habitat with something mythical.

Probably the most talked about creature is the elves. But these aren’t all cute Santa’s-little-helper-type elves; there are also scary elves who aim to revenge those who have harmed them. I’ve been told that before a new road can be built, the area must first be checked for elf habitats so they are not disturbed. Our teacher also told us about a friend of hers in Ísafjörður who built a house around what was believed to be an old elf stone; the stone could not be destroyed and has stayed in the basement. The residents of the house must light a candle by the stone twice a year (Midsummer’s Night and New Year’s Eve) to keep the elf happy. Not only do they do this twice a year, but it’s written in the house’s contract that when it’s sold the new owners must continue to do the same!

Icelandic people often leave little houses in the countryside or their gardens for the elves and fairies to live in.

Spot the fairy house.

Trolls are also something to be afraid of, but only in the night; they turn into stone when they see daylight. Apparently they live in the mountains and like to steal women and children so I better be careful round here.

I found a troll in Reykjavik.

Last of all, ghosts. Ghosts come in many different forms in Icelandic folklore: babies who come back to haunt their mothers who killed them, drowned sailors who try to lead other ships to disaster, and horses whose hooves point the wrong way and who want to drag you into lakes. And apparently there is a ghost who lives here at Nupur. Tonight (at midnight of course) the owner of the hotel is going to tell us about him. I just hope he’s not too angry that we took over his home for our party last weekend!