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Generally
described as being no taller than three feet, having a long white beard, and
wearing a conical or knit cap in red or some other bright color.
The
tomte / nisse is an echo of ancient ancestral cult. He
was sometimes seen as the farmer who cleared the forest to build the farm and
who in pre-Christian times would have been buried on the farm in a mound.
According
to tradition, the tomte / nisse lives in the houses and barns of the farmstead,
and secretly act as their guardian. If treated well, they protect the family
and animals from evil and misfortune, and may also aid the chores and farm
work. However, they are known to be short tempered, especially when offended.
Once insulted, they will usually play tricks, steal items and even maim or kill
livestock.
If
anyone spilled something on the floor in the house, it was considered proper to
shout a warning to the tomte below.
One
was also required to please the spirit with gifts (see Blót) – a
particular gift was a bowl of porridge on Christmas night. If the tomte was not
given his payment, he would leave the farm or house, or engage in mischief such
as tying the cows' tails together in the barn, turning objects upside-down, and
breaking things.
Belief had it that one could see which horse was
the tomte's favourite as it would be especially healthy and well taken care of.
Sometimes the tomte would even braid its hair and tail. Sometimes actually
undoing these braids could mean misfortune or angering the tomte.
Like most creatures of folklore he would be seen as
heathen (pre-Christian) and be demonized and connected to the Devil.
The tradition of tomte/nisse is also associated
with Christmas. It is known as a gift bearer and is considered one of the
Scandinavian versions of Santa Claus.
The tomte is accompanied by another mythological creature: the Yule goat (Julbocken). The pair appear on Christmas Eve, knocking on
the doors of their homes, handing out presents.
Tomte
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