Tribal.Europa

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Many of us know the classic image of the Roman god Mithras slaying the bull. His confident compusure, the bull's struggle, the scorpion's grip and the eager dog and snake, weave a tale that's not just a scene of sacrifice, but a visual language of cosmic renewal, hidden knowledge, and ancient beliefs. In Finnic Kalevala folk poetry, there is a giant-sized ox as well. “An ox as tall as the clouds is brought from Karelia to Pohja, intended for the great wedding feast, but no one can be found to slaughter it. One day, an old man—small enough to fit under a wooden bowl—rises from the sea and slaughters the animal.” Folklorist Martti Haavio suspected that the motif for this came to Finland and Karelia from the Cult of Mithras. Matti Kuusi thought it to be a sowing and/or harvest ritual poem from the Proto-Finnic period. The ox was described as massive, for its tail was located in Häme and its head by the Kemijoki river. Christfrid Ganander suspected that this was a reference to the Big Dipper. In ancient Spain, Iberian tribes revered bulls as solar symbols tied to fertility and strength. The tauroctony's sacrificial slaying by Mithras (2nd-4th century CE) also mirrors this, representing life's triumph from death, as blood from the bull's wound becomes wheat or sustenance. While Germanic tribes, like the Cherusci and Suebi, similarly tied the giant bull (the Auroch, which is directly linked to the rune Uruz, ᚢ) to rituals of potency. Their horns were used as drinking vessels, and their heart & bones for rituals. Seeing them as solar/fertility icons, again, parallel to Mithras' astral drama but more shamanic.

The Zduhać (plural Zduhači) are unique human-born spirit-warriors, recorded in Montenegro, eastern Herzegovina, part of Bosnia, and the Sandžak region of south-western Serbia. They battle in dream or spirit form to protect villages and crops from destructive weather, particularly hailstorms and violent storms. (The phenomenon often resembles shamanic “soul flight”, connecting Zduhači to a wider Indo-European tradition). In this dream form, a Zduhać is said to fly or ride clouds, wind, or ethereal mounts, carrying symbolic, light weapons such as iron rods, magical clubs, buckets of milk, or bundles of reeds. Success ensures rain for crops or hail diverted, protecting villages and fields. While failure can result in local crop damage or violent storms. The zduhaći of an area also fought together against attacking zduhaći of another area who were bringing a storm and hail clouds above their fields. The victorious zduhaći would loot the yield of all agricultural produce from the territory of their defeated foes, and take it to their own region. Regional variation exists: in certain Montenegrin villages, Zduhači are thought to assume the form of birds or small storms, symbolically embodying the weather they fight. Some accounts describe flames, mist, or ethereal aura surrounding the Zduhači while battling in the sky. Beyond storm combat, Zduhači sometimes act as guardians against disease, misfortune, and supernatural threats. They are often modest individuals, blending into village life, while secretly exercising their abilities. They may perform rituals or fast before storm season, to enhance their spiritual potency. Scholars note that Zduhači are occasionally born with unusual physical signs, such as a tuft of hair, a birthmark, or a “sparkling” appearance in their eyes. But most of all, they always look tired.

↟ Dísablót/Disting -an ancient Swedish thing ↟ 🌕 Dísablót & Disting is an ancient Germanic Old Norse tradition with major importance, considered to have taken place today this year – at the third full moon after the new moon, after the Winter Solstice in Uppsala, Sweden. The blót was held to show reverence for Spring, to ensure good fertility and harvest for the coming year. Several gods are worshiped, mainly the Dísir – female goddesses of fate in our Norse mythology, whom can be both benevolent and evil. A dís exist for example the night, the wind and the rain – Skaði is sometimes associated with the winter dís. 🌕 Dísablót is one of the most famous blóts and like Hókunótt/Midvinterblot/Julblot also one of the most misunderstood. According to the Heimskringla Saga, this Swedish tradition is 'as old as Heathenry itself'. Disting was taking form of a...- continues in comment below ⬇️ Website: https://native-scandinavia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWoocaFjHeN/?igsh=MWZqNWd5a2ljd3VnMg==

A påskkärring literally means “Easter old woman” or “Easter witch.” Today, children in Sweden dress up with: headscarves, aprons and skirts and painted rosy cheeks and freckles and go door-to-door exchanging drawings for sweets/fruits, very similar to Halloween. At the heart of the tradition is a specific Swedish belief that on Skärtorsdagen (Maundy Thursday) witches would fly on broomsticks to Blåkulla to meet the Devil in a kind of sabbath gathering. Blåkulla (often identified with the island Blå Jungfrun in Småland, Sweden) became the Nordic equivalent of the German Brocken/Blocksberg, a mythical gathering place of witches. Sweden experienced intense witch hysteria between 1668 and 1676. This resulted in 280 people executed and widespread fear of witches abducting children and flying to Blåkulla. The imagery we now associate with witches, brooms, sabbaths, devil worship, was shaped heavily during this period, not ancient pagan times. The påskkärring is partly a cultural memory of the witch panic, softened and turned into play. The witch activity was believed to peak during Holy Week, especially the night of Judas’ betrayal, a time when “evil was loose in the world”. This idea of witches meeting the Devil reflects Catholic-era beliefs in Scandinavia. Why does it feel like this could have pagan elements? Because of the belief in flying spirits or night journeys, a seasonal fear of chaotic forces at spring transition, and the use of fires to ward off harmful beings. Nonetheless, the påskkärring and Blåkulla are early modern (15th–17th c.) Christian reinterpretations of folk magic. Old folk beliefs existed, but they were filtered through Christian fear and theology. A Jungian layer here could be that what was once feared (the witch) is ritualised, masked, and integrated into society. It is important to note that Pre-Christian Europe had ideas of spirit travel and liminal places that Christianity reframed those as demonic gatherings. A little bit sad. If you decide to dress your little one as a påskkärring today, please do tell them the story origin. 🌝

↟ Snowdrop – Galanthus Nivalis ↟ These white delicate little flowers heralding the promise of Spring and are now piercing through the lingering frost here in Scandinavia. A North European wild flower – one of the very first early flowers to blossom. They are a symbol of hope, purity and quiet resilience, inspired folklore across Europe, used in ideas of purification and protection of home and hearth. Snowdrops also possess intriguing medical qualities. The bulbs and leaves contain galantamine, an alkaloid that has been shown to slow the progression of Alzimer's disease by temporarily restoring the balance of neurotransmittens in the brain. Thereby, improving memory and cognitive functions. However, it is highly toxic if ingested improperly! The Snowdrop thrives in gardens and woodlands, bending to the ground...- continues in comment below ⬇️ In collaboration with: https://t.me/TribalEuropa Website: https://native-scandinavia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWLteKDDFfJ/?igsh=NWlpZ2VjcGJpNHo0

Honourable mention for Scottish and modern Irish, using "mathan" & "mathúin", translating to "good calf". While Manx just uses the English word "Bear". Lithuanian: lokys Latvian: lācis

Dodola is an ancient, pre-christian Slavic rain-invoking ritual once practiced in rural parts of Serbia and across the Balkans, in times of drought. A girl (Dodola), young, unmarried and sometimes even an orphan (symbolically “pure” and liminal) would be covered entirely in fresh leaves, branches, flowers and vines and then walked from house to house, accompanied by other village girls. They sang ancient rain songs (see video) invoking the sky and divine forces to end the drought. At each home, the household would pour water over Dodola. The water symbolized rainfall, while the leaves represented fertile earth. Follow Tribal Europe: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TribalEurope... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribal.europe/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIoukLfmdXjc6dag9-7BR5g

Þorláksmessa is the Icelandic feast day of Saint Þorlákur Þórhallsson, marked on 23 December. This day is named after Þorlákur Þórhallsson, a 12th‑century Icelandic bishop of Skálholt, who died on 23 December 1193 and was locally canonized a few years later. Many families decorate or finish decorating the Christmas tree on this day and treat it as the moment when the home fully “turns” into its festive state. A distinctive feature is eating fermented skate (kæst skata, similar to Swedish Surströmming but they use Herring) that was caught in autumn. a strong‑smelling, ammonia‑rich fish dish boiled and served with potatoes and other sides, whose odor often fills entire streets on the evening of the 23rd. Sometimes also served with Rye bread (rúgbrauð) generously spread with butter, boiled turnips, and/or hnoðmör or hamsatólg (two types of sheep fat for broth). It was also customary to boil hangikjöt (smoked lamb) on Þorláksmessa, with some people tasting the meat or the fat from the broth as a “preview” of the Christmas meal. And last but not least, households often prepare or serve other Christmas foods, such as caramel‑glazed potatoes, red cabbage, leaf bread (laufabrauð), rye bread, and cookies or cakes such as vínarterta and chocolate‑cornflake cookies.

Imerix, one of the first Dutchmen we know by name and image: Imerix son of Servofredus. He belonged to the Germanic Betuwe tribe (Batavian), who were extremely skilled horsemen. And for a long time the elite of the Roman army. He had his base and his final resting place around 100 AD, in Burnum, modern-day Croatia. That is where his tombstone was erected and rediscovered. The text states that he was a horseman in the squadron of the Spaniards and that he died at the age 28, after eight years of military service. He is depicted wearing equipment typical of Germanic horsemen of his time, a spear and an elongated, hexagonal shield. The name Imerix will undoubtedly strike many as Gaulish, and therefore Celtic, because it resembles Ambiorix, Vercingetorix, and the fictional Asterix and Obelix, for example, but it is the Latinization of an Old Germanic name, specifically one that probably had the form *Īmirīkz. (mostlikely Dutch, IJmerik) which probably meant warlord. Credit to Taaldacht

This beautiful bronze dirk was found between 1894–1900, in a heath field between Witharen and Ommerschans, in the Eastern part of the Netherlands. Dating back roughly to 1500-1350 BCE (Middle Bronze Age). It was part of what is known as the Ommerschans Hoard, not just the dirk but a number of other bronze and stone objects were found aswell. This dirk belongs to a very rare “type” known as the Plougrescant–Ommerschans group. Only six of these exist, the other five were found in: - Plougrescant Dirk, Brittany, France 🇨🇵 - Beaune Dirk, Burgundy, France 🇨🇵 - Oxborough Dirk, Norfolk, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - Rudham Dirk, East Rudham, Norfolk, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - Jutphaas Dirk, Jutphaas, Utrecht, Netherlands 🇳🇱 It was almost certainly for ceremonial purpose, due to its size, thinness, and lack of a handle or sharpened edges, it would have been very impractical as a combat weapon. Or possibly diplomatic gifts, exchanged between high-ranking individuals.

In German folklore, especially from Bavaria, Bohemia, and the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), the Wichtlein are described as little old men with long beards and a height of about 85 centimeters. They share similarities with Kobolds & dwarves. They are known for haunting mines and other underground spaces. If a miner is deceitful, loud, or greedy, the Wichtlein may hide the miner's tools, cause frightening noises or lead him astray in the tunnels. But if miners are respectful, the Wichtlein will warn of collapsing tunnels, Indicate ore veins by tapping or glowing or Perform small tasks at night. The Wichtlein’s ambiguous role as both protectors and causers of misfortune reflects the unpredictable, perilous nature of mining work in pre-modern Europe. In some tales, Wichtlein are connected to the ghosts of deceased miners, echoing similar "knocking spirits" like the Cornish Knockers and Welsh Coblynau.

Mosekonen 🇩🇰, From ancient Danish oral folklore (especially from rural Jutland and Sjælland), several Danish writers and collectors later wrote down the folklore of the Mosekonen. She's often depicted as an old woman, sometimes hunchbacked or with tangled hair of moss and reeds. Although in some tales, she can appear beautiful, luring wanderers into the marsh. Stirring up fog in her magical cauldron, filling the landscape with heavy, damp mist that is believed to keep the bog alive and protect its creatures, such as frogs and dragonflies. Some tales suggest she is preparing a magical drink for the Vætter (see my post about these) or elves, while others see it as a force that brings confusion, forgetfulness, or even danger to those who wander into the mist. It is believed that turning one’s clothing inside out, could break her spell. But the best way is to simply avoid bogs, when the mist is thick. The Danes still have a related saying, "Mosekonen brygger" which translates to "the bog wife is brewing".

↟ Delsbostämman ↟ Delsbostämman is an annual outdoor fiddlers’ gathering that takes place today in the village of Delsbo in Hälsingland, Sweden. It is one of Sweden's oldest fiddler meetings, starting in 1952. It is held every year on the first Sunday of July according to an old tradition that goes far back in time. Hundreds of 'spelmän' (fiddlers), both men and women, from across the country gather dressed in their traditional folk costumes to play traditional music. The recordings cover a broad range of Swedish regional fiddling styles of music, including folk, polkas, waltzes, and brudmarsches (bridal marches). Delsbostämman is one of Sweden's oldest fiddler meetings, and the music features accordions, flute, violins, and the famous Swedish instrument, the Nyckelharpa, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The gathering takes place at Delsbo...- continues in comment below ⬇️ Website: https://native-scandinavia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLwyTJbszEG/?igsh=MXhmcmE4MHF1aWowMg==

The Stilt Shepherds of Landes 🇨🇵, The stilt shepherds of Landes were a unique group of shepherds in the Landes region of southwestern France, known for walking on stilts while tending their flocks. The stilts, locally referred to as "tchangues" or “big legs,” were typically made from pine or ash and strapped to the legs with leather ties. Shepherds would also carry a long staff called a "paou", which helped with balance and served as a support when standing still. This distinctive practice flourished primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries and is deeply tied to the landscape and cultural history of the area. The use of stilts became so integral to life in the Landes that both men and women, young and old, learned to walk on them from an early age. They developped remarkable agility and balance and even running, hopping, and performing other feats while perched high above the ground.

↟ Sweden during the 1960s 🇸🇪 Native Scandinavians from Sweden celebrating Skolavslutning. In Sweden, the Skolavslutning is an important tradition to take part in before children can bid their classes farewell. The Skolavslutning is the end-of-term ceremony which takes place in schools all over Sweden in the summer (Sommaravslutningen). Students are unmissable in their suits and white dresses, often accompanied by the student cap, some in folk costumes and decorated with medals, trinkets, and MANY Swedish flags. After the ceremony, parents often go for picknic together and play games with the other families. A beautiful way to welcome summer and the long summer holiday that awaits for the children. People living in peace, our children being safe. Never forget what they took from you. Collaboration post together with @TribalEuropa Have you been to Sweden? 😊 Website: https://native-scandinavia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJTpU8TsDf_/?igsh=MTRhOXIycjZyOXpuMg==

In Finnish wedding customs, the ritual of making the bride cry (itkettäminen) was believed to protect her from evil spirits and ensure future happiness. The louder she wept, the happier her marriage would be. participants sang sorrowful songs to evoke emotions in the bride. These songs reminded her of the family and home she was leaving behind, encouraging her to mourn her transition into married life. This practice also marked her transition from maidenhood to wifehood, often followed by tying her hair in a married woman’s style. This custom was especially ingrained in the cultural practices of Karelian Finns, and other eastern Finnish communities and faced challenges to its survival over time, including urbanization, religious opposition, and political changes in the early Soviet era. However, efforts to revive and preserve this ancient custom have been made in recent years, allowing it to continue as a meaningful cultural practice in Finland. Song Credit: MeNaiset - Morsiamen Itketys

During the Viking age, it was common for a family to give one of their children to another family to foster. It was a bond that could link a man to his social superior. Typically, a child from a superior family was raised by an inferior family. The foster parents received either payment or support from the birth parents. Fostering was not the same as adoption. It was a legal agreement, and an alliance. Ties between foster-relations could be as strong or stronger than those between blood-relations. Families and Demographics in the Viking Age W.R.Short