Glossary

Huldufólk (Hidden People): Grey, elfish people who live in stones. In Faroese folk tales, Huldufólk are said to be “large in build, their clothes are all grey, and their hair black.” They also dislike crosses, churches and electricity. In the old days, road constructions were sometimes altered to prevent damaging the rocks believed to be inhabited by Huldufólk.

Nólsoyar Páll (1766-1809): A national hero. Shipbuilder, captain, farmer and poet, among other things. In 1804, he built the ship Royndin Fríða together with his brothers. He was frequently in trouble with the Danish authorities in the Faroe Islands who had imposed strict rules for trading limiting exports and imports to and from the islands. Nólsoyar Páll wrote the satirical ballad, Fuglakvæðið (Bird Ballad), where he made bird caricatures of specific people in the community. The poem prompted anger among the Danish officials in the Faroe Islands, but amusement among ordinary citizens. Nólsoyar Páll disappeared on a voyage in the winter of 1808-1809.

Nykur (Nix): Nykur is a horse-like being that lives underwater. Easily identified by its grey colour and backwards hooves, the Nykur will occasionally surface to try and lure passing humans to mount it. Once mounted by an unwitting passer-by, the Nykur will immediately ride towards its underwater home – drowning the person on it back.

Sigmundur Brestisson (961 – 1005): Introduced Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the decree of Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway. Initially, Sigmundur sought to convert the islanders by reading the decree to the Thing in Tórshavn, but was nearly killed by the resulting angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residence of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu broke into his house by night. Sigmundur offered Tróndur the choice between accepting Christianity or beheading; he chose the former.

Thing: Things – from the Old Norse word þing, meaning assembly - were an early system of justice and administration.

When the Vikings and early Norse settlers arrived in a new place they brought with them their customs and legal systems. Things were where political decisions were made, laws upheld and disputes settled. They acted as meeting places and were often the focus for trade and religious activity.