Pronounced "hool'dra"

-noun. Scandinavian Mythology one of a race of "good folk", living in the woods, good looking and clever, they often have tails of a cow or cat, animals sacred to Freya. It is said that all "fairy folk" are children of Lilith, the first woman of creation in the Hebrew story of Adam and Lilith. This links Freya and the Huldre back to the first Indo-European migration along with the rune alphabet, fashion, ritual, herding, music and dancing!

Huldre Stille - (also called Trollstilt) a combination of pitches C#, A, E, and A, sometimes DAD or DADGAD, corresponding to the tuning of a langeleik, a dulcimer style instrument played primarily by women. This tuning is complimentary to the hardanger fiddle (primarily a man's instrument) and many huldre tunes were preserved through the hardanger fiddle. A huldre slått is a tune attributed to a Huldre.

Huldre Eventyr - Stories and lyrics about the Huldre. The largest body of Eventyr was compiled in 1852 by Asbjørnsen and Moe. Stories link Huldre to the first Indo-European migration through Lilith. Women's sexuality, nature spirituality and psychic or supernatural abilities, taboo subjects in the new Christian ethic, are themes that run through Huldre Eventyr.

Huldre Lokk - kulning cow calling, a series of high-pitched calls to bring cattle from the field and wood back to the barn, the job of women in Nordic society. It is also a form of communication between herding women across field and fjord. Also used was the lur, (a wind instrument dating to the Bronze Age 1400 B.C.E.) made today with wood and birch bark, trees connected with the Goddess and women's shamanic practice.

Staving - The use of a stav or working stick such as distaff, herding crook, stirring stick, or even broom handle to keep rhythm for groups of workers especially in threshing, spinning and weaving. Stav a martial art using the stav and rune alphabet, preserved by the Hafkjold family.

Seið/volva-kona - A Shaman (kona meaning woman) of Scandinavian women's spiritual tradition. Ceremonies described in Tacitus' Germanica (circa 44 AD), Sagas and Eddas, as well as Bronze Age archeology being done in Scandinavia today reveals their honored position in all aspects of pre-Christian Nordic culture. These women were later called "Troll women" in Norwegian literature.

Kari's Huldre Grant Proposal

Other Huldre Resources (with off-site links):

We have also been compared with selections from the "Wizard Women of the North" CD.

Karen Solgard interprets the Haugelaaten tune a Huldre eventyr called "Mountain Fantasy" on the Hardanger Fiddle with Vocals. We continue to learn so much from Karen.

Hear the inspiring Arna Rennan sing in the old Norse Way. Her band, Nordic Angst, is fantastic.

Ross Sutter inspired Kari in the late '80s with his combination of music and education. Hear him sing Rida Ranka, often incorporated into our performances.

Our music has also been compared in content and intensity to Ruth Makenzie. See her "Kalavala" Finno-Ugarchic songs and performance.

Ingebretsen's on Lake (a great Nordic Roots resource)

Northside Music - a fantastic local/International resource! Sponsor of the Nordic Roots Festival at the Cedar Cultural Center.

TVFolk.net - A video collection of folk music artists from all over Scandinavia and the Baltic in their homes and on stages!

Nordic Roots Education