Our Numinous Nature

Sissel Morken Gullord is a Scandinavian musician and singer living on a farm in Biri, Norway. We begin this enchanting musical episode by heading up to the saeter - the summer mountain farm - to hear the instruments, songs, and herding calls of the bygone milkmaids and shepherds, starting with the bukkehorn [goat horn]. Sissel describes how they're made and how livestock reacts to both the horn and a whimsical style of calling called kulning [or hujing in Norwegian]. We hear the blasting of a lur, a long wooden horn and followed by her commission by Disney. Opening up the more magical and sublime side of nature, Sissel tells a story about performing for hunters and foresters in which she spoke to them about the folkloric forest nymph known as Hulder and the accompanying huldra-folk [elves]. We wrap up this slice of Norwegian culture on folk song motifs, the nation's famous brown cheese, and bunad [the traditional rural clothing from the 1700-1800's].

Check out more of Sissel's music on Spotify & YouTube.

Reading from Folktales of Norway edited by Reidar Christiansen

Reference images:
- Hans Dahl romantic milkmaid painting
- Example of a traditional Norwegian home interior decorated with rosemaling
- 2nd Example of folk paintings on walls of home
- Norwegian woman playing the lur
- Bunad traditional clothing

Music by:

"Kulokk - Call On The Cattle"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

"Kråkevisa"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

"Lokker geitebukker med bukkehorn"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

"Bukkehorn & Hujing"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

"Huldrelokk"
Written & performed by Saga Sjöberg

"Till, till Tove"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

"Den Bakvendte Visa"
Performed by Sissel Morken Gullord

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