29 January 18 Are Minnesotans Really Vikings?

A Note to Readers: Please enjoy this admittedly lengthy essay. It is the last of its kind for the foreseeable future on Mondays. Starting in one week, this writer will turn her pen to poetry, offering not only verses themselves, but also answers to the riddles that most poems seem to be. Hopefully, this combination will not only entice inquisitive readers, but also give them an opportunity to exercise their imaginations. JPS

VIKINGS – Are Minnesotans Really Vikings? / Minnesotans aren’t Really Vikings

Once again, the Vikings football team has come oh so close to playing in the Superbowl, and this time, it would have been on their home turf. Alas, like many of the Vikings raids of old, they were thwarted by the Eagles, which is particularly unnerving because the Eagle was important in Viking lore. Since 1969, the football Vikings sort have qualified for the playoffs 26 times, and played in the Superbowl four times, winning none. Right now, it wouldn’t be surprising if most Viking fans hid their horns. Speaking of that, the team’s logo with the horned helmet is inaccurate; the ancient Vikings never adorned their helmets with horns. In addition, the Vikings of history carried out many successful raids in search of treasure and land to farm. But never mind, being a Viking fan of the football variety, does not make one a Viking. On the other hand, many Minnesotans like to think that Viking blood courses through their veins. How true is that?

The historical Vikings are the ancestors of Scandinavian Americans and Canadians, some Baltic peoples, and French Normans. Today, many people from these genetic pools consider having Viking blood a point of pride. But what about Minnesotans? Seen any of them out raiding in their long boars lately? Genetically speaking, are some Minnesotans descendants of the Vikings? Let’s have a look at which ethnic groups settled in Minnesota, and from which current descendants claim their lineages.

Minnesota settlement did not occur until the second half of the 19th century. Immigrants largely came form Europe, primarily Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. This sounds promising for Viking wannabees as ancient Vikings, too, came from all these countries, excepting Germany. Today, 37% of Minnesotans are from German lines, 17% can claim Norwegian genetics, 11% have Irish ancestors, and 10% are the descendants of the Swedish. (No idea what happened to the Danes.) On the surface, that calculates to 27% of Minnesotans having a chance of being of Viking stock, or an 11% chance of being Irish, if you are into leprechauns. So, the question remains: Are Minnesotans really Vikings? The demographics just cited would indicate that somewhat shy of a third of the population has a chance claiming that legacy. Not bad, except that immigrant data does not take into account the current population consisting of far-flung newcomers from Asia to Africa. Still, we’re going to say that an absolute number of Scandinavian descendants may be much the same as in the old days when Minnesota was being settled. Now, let’s turn to some possible proof of Minnesotans’ Viking heritage. Because the roots from the “old countries” like Norway and Sweden, are much valued in Minnesota, there is a persistent belief that Vikings actually lived right here in the Gopher State around 1,000 years ago. This belief grew in 1898 after Olof Ohman, a Swedish-American farmer, was said to have found a very large stone with multiple runes carved into it. When the runes were translated, part of the message was that in 1362, the Vikings, searching for Vinland, ended up in western Minnesota. The authenticity of the stone has since been seriously questioned, and largely considered a hoax, but strong interest in the Vikings continued. Adding to the unlikeliness of a Viking visit to Minnesota is that the “Viking Age” is dated from about 790 to 1066, three hundred years, and well before 1362 . So, no help here as to verifying that Minnesotans are Vikings. Still, the will to believe dies hard. The fires of credence were stoked again in 1960 when vestiges of a Viking encampment from around 1,000 A.D. were found in Newfoundland, and were verified as genuine. Leif Erickson is commonly considered the leader of this intrepid band. (A side note: Interestingly, the authenticity of this find places the Vikings journey to North America at least 500 years before Columbus.) This discovery gave Minnesotans new hope that Vikings had also settled in our State. Why not? If they made it to North America, why not Minnesota? Although the evidence is thin to none, the desire to be connected to such a romantic culture was keen; however the answer to the inquiry of this essay remains Newfoundland is a long way from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But why all this hunger for Viking heritage? One reason for this ardent interest could be that new immigrants from Sweden and Norway yearned for the homeland, and wanted to find a new place in the world. All of the above created links to the past that comforted them. There is lingering proof of this intense interest in the form of a statue of the Viking Leif Erickson close to the Minnesota State Capitol. There is another factor to consider: We know that Vikings lived in Sweden and Norway, among other places, so those modern immigrants who came to Minnesota could have very likely carried Viking genetics. Score one for Minnesotans. Vikings didn’t have to actually live in Minnesota for the bloodlines to be passed down. Genealogy, immigration, and explorations have all raised interest in the Vikings. This time it is in the form of a recent television series, Vikings, which has once more brought out the Minnesotan fascination with this ancient race. It helps that the main players in the series were actual individuals during the Viking era. In small, rural towns of Northwest Minnesota (and elsewhere), more than a few men now sport the hairstyle and tattoos of Ragnar Lothbrok, the main character of the saga. More than one Minnesotan woman yearns for the strength and presence of Lagertha, Ragnar’s first wife and a fearsome shieldmaiden. The series appears to do its best to be true to the Vikings historical events. Even a Norse saga exists chronicling Ragnar’s exploits. Still, interest in a dramatization of Viking life does not a Viking make. So, let us examine some of the common characteristics associated with Vikings, and see how they stack up against Minnesotans’ characteristics. Hostile and bloodthirsty: Certainly, true of the roaming Vikings and their infamous raids seeking treasure and land for farming. Their military tactics relied on brute strength more than strategy. As far as Minnesotans, they are generally known for what is commonly called “Minnesota nice,” but which may be a surface characteristic masking root hostility. Could be. Consider hunting season, and rude drivers. Fair: Vikings were known to be fair within their society, even to those they took as slaves. Dealings with Minnesotans appear to be much the same: reasonable with those familiar, but cautious with outsiders. Caring: Family life, in particular, was valued by the Vikings, and they took very good care of their offspring. Minnesotans are generally thought of as family-oriented, giving nurturance to their children. This is a broad generalization, but then most impressions of a population fall into this category. Hygenic:  Although not the first characteristic that comes to mind regarding Vikings, their tendency was actually toward good personal hygiene as witnessed by the remnants of their bathing pools and water vessels. Certainly, this is a common impression of Minnesotans – tidy and clean. Courageous: Although the fierceness of Minnesotans is not well known, consider the climate and conditions they endure every winter, and still they drive out to their jobs and other responsibilities during the week, and ice fishing on the weekends. The Vikings in their long ships, with their shields and weapons, going on their numerous raids, plus their belief in Valhalla as a warriors’ reward are all evidence of their courage. Minnesotans don’t engage in raiding parties, but their battles with falling icicles, drifting road, and dark of night are very real. Greedy: Neither Vikings nor Minnesotans are any more or less greedy than any other culture with the level of resources each had/has. With the relatively poor soils of Scandinavia, Vikings ventured out in search of better farming land as much as for treasure. Settlers in Minnesota were looking for the same thing. Early Minnesotans also sought land that would support farming. Skiing for Fun: An activity enjoyed by both Vikings and Minnesotans. Farmers: Contrary to popular belief many Vikings were primarily farmers – even Ragnor Lokbrok considered himself a farmer. Minnesotans have their fair share of farmers as well. Equal rights for women: This has become an American national trend, more than a strictly Minnesotan one; however, it is not so well known that Vikings valued their women highly. Females could, for example, inherit property, ask for divorce, and reclaim their dowries if marriage failed. The historical Lagertha was even a jarl (earl). Industriousness:  Vikings distained laziness. Minnesotans are known to be hard-working, especially by Californians. Hospitality: Vikings were known for their large “feasts” in their long houses, especially those owned by jarls who welcomed large gatherings. Vikings also thought that their gods might visit them disguised as humans, so one never knew if disrespect would cause divine wrath. Minnesotans, too, but for different reasons, are known for their hospitality. This unscientific survey of characteristics argues in favor of at least a Viking influence, if not a genetic heritage, in that portion of Minnesotans who are descendants of immigrants from Scandinavia. And it would seem that many of these characteristics have rubbed off on more modern Minnesotans of diverse ethnic backgrounds. So, take heart, Minnesotans who want to be able to say they either have Viking blood, or who at least share their characteristics. You just might be a Viking after all. An historical note for Viking buffs: The Tale of Ragnar Lodbrok (Old Norse: Ragnars saga Loðbrókar) is an Icelandic legendary saga of the 13th century about the Viking ruler Ragnar Lodbrok. It is part of the manuscript of the Völsunga saga, which it immediately follows. The tale covers the origin of Aslaug, Ragnar's quest for the hand of Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr, his later marriage to Aslaug, the deeds of their sons (and Aslaug) in battle, and Ragnar's death at the hands of king Ælla of Northumbria.[1] The saga's sources include Adam of Bremen and Saxo Grammaticus, with whose Gesta Danorum (book IX) it overlaps in the description of Ragnar's pursuit of Thora, his marriage to Aslaug and the deeds of his sons. Ragnars saga is a sequel of sorts to the Völsunga saga, providing a link between the legendary figures of Sigurd and Brynhildr and the historical events of the ninth to eleventh century, as well as prestige to the Norwegian royal house by portraying Sigurd as its ancestor. Ragnars Saga Loðbrokar Ragnar’s Verses from the Saga: I have risked my famous life, beautiful woman; fifteen winters old And I vanquished the earth fish. Near misfortune, a swift Death for me—save I have pierced well to the heart the ringed salmon-of-the-heath. Will you receive this shirt Which Þóra Hjört had? Marked with silver, this cloth becomes you very well. Her white hands worked this garment; to the king of heroes until her death. Jack Pine Savage (but not of Viking stock)