Gnomes are and were a significant part of folk culture in Denmark. Like other parts of the country, the Skive region has had its own gnome stories and legends that were told to each other. They were part of the folk culture of the region and some of the stories were collected before they were completely lost.
Historical background
A goblin, also known as the farm dweller, is a mythical creature that often lived on farms and were often helpful creatures that were part of the running of the farm. However, with their foundation in old Norse ways, they also possessed tremendous strength and a temperament that the “Elf in the Attic” can hardly match.
The elves of the past should be seen as different from the more modern Christmas elves; it wasn’t until the early 1800s that Christmas and elves became associated with each other in Danish folk tradition.
Famous local elves
A number of stories about local elves were collected by Evald Tang Kristensen around 1890, and can tell you a bit about the different stories associated with elves here.
The elf at Skivehus
The story tells of a mischievous elf at (old) Skivehus who liked to tease the farm dog. One day when the elf was sitting on the roof teasing the farm dog, the farm boy decided to push the elf down. After which the dog got hold of Santa and gave him a good shake. Santa got his revenge that night. When the boy was asleep, Santa put him on a board over the farm well to scare him. The gnome wasn’t completely evil though, he stood all night watching over the boy so he didn’t fall into the well.
The gnome in Trevad
Aakjær told about a fight between an elf from Trevad in Vridsted Parish and one from Sevel Parish Cemetery. The two elves fought at Trandum Cemetery, where one elf threw the other with such enormous force that it flew half a kilometer. The gnome landed with such force that it created a lake several square kilometers in size.
Elf fight in Krejbjerg
Elves from two farms around Krejbjerg fell out and got into a fight in the fields, knocking over a barrel of barley. One of the elves lived on the Hesthave farm (today Åbakken 4), the other on a farm near Krejbjerg called Bakkegården (not sure which farm, but perhaps Vildmosen 4).
Santa fights between Spøttrup and Rødding
Close to Krejbjerg, another fight took place. According to tradition, it involved elves from Rødding vicarage and the non-existent Spøttrup vicarage. The fight was so violent it left its mark on the landscape.
The gnome in Rødding
Leprechauns in Rødding seem to be the hot-tempered type. At least one story is told about how in Rødding they had a gnome to help take care of the town run. As a reward, the elf was given a bowl of butter every day, a traditional salary for an elf.
One day, however, the wife who gave the elf the porridge had hidden the stick of butter at the bottom of the porridge. In anger at not getting his butter pat, the elf wrings the neck of a cow he was tending. After eating more of the porridge, the elf finds the stick of butter, and in a fit of rage, the elf steals a cow on Mors to replace the cow it killed.
Sources
- Kristensen, Evald Tang, Danske sagn som de har lydt i folkemunde anden afdeling, Jacob Zeuners Bogtrykkeri 1893, p. 58 + 59 + 68-9 + 88
- Danish farms in text and pictures Viborg County volume 2 Fjends – Karup – Skive and Spøttrup Municipalities, p. 375+380