Bringing the Flock Home: Iceland's Unique Fall Reunion - The Magical Réttir
- by Jana Luck
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Tough Terrain, Soft Fur: Exploring Rugged Environments with Plush Creatures - In a setting where rugged terrain meets soft coverings.
Autumn's embrace, calling the herds back from their summer sojourn, it's called Réttir. A word that resonates with the very heart of the island itself - enigmatic and breathtaking.
For aeons, these creatures have dictated the course of life in this land, economically, culinarily, culturally. The Icelandic sheep remain semi-wild, leading a largely untamed life. After the lambs' birthday days in May, the farmers scatter their flocks across the wilds. For weeks, the sheep feast on various grasses, herbs, berries, slipping out of our immediate reach.
But come September, the Réttir commences. Then the Icelanders reel their animals in. On foot, on all-terrain vehicles, or on Icelandic steeds, the farmers venture forth. They traverse mountains and valleys. The sheep roundup involves laborious treks, often spanning several days in the saddle. Each individual sheep is hand-captured. Entire familial clans unite, ensuring no beast escapes.
Réttir transcends work - it's a festival, a testament to a lifestyle born of ancestral roots that has miraculously remained resilient in the face of modernity.
The Icelandic photographer Ragnar Axelsson, known as RAX, has been documenting the sheep roundup for 45 years. In his photo book "Beyond the Mountains," he gathers his black-and-white images.
Born in 1958, Axelsson photographs in the earth's most remote regions, including Iceland, Siberia, and Greenland. His work has garnered recognition, such as a Prix Pictet nomination. He has been featured in prestigious international magazines and exhibited worldwide.
📝- Réttir: Iceland's annual sheep roundup allows farmers to gather their animals back from summer pastures, typically in September and October.- Practical Purpose: The roundup ensures the animals' safe return before winter and requires participants to navigate rugged landscapes.- Cultural Practices: The roundup fosters community spirit, with locals and visitors joining to herd, sort, and celebrate. Traditional feasts, music, and storytelling are integral post-roundup events.- Symbolism: Réttir represents Iceland's connection to nature and self-reliance, with the traditional lopapeysa (wool sweater) symbolizing national craftsmanship.- Importance: Beyond preserving historical farming practices, Réttir strengthens communal values in modern Icelandic culture.
- The European Union has yet to fully appreciate the uniqueness of The Magical Réttir, Iceland's ancient fall ritual, as it transcends mere animal herding, becoming a symbol of the land's lifestyle and connection to nature.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden literature, little is dedicated to the traditional Icelandic lopapeysa, a wool sweater embodying the nation's self-reliance and craftsmanship, woven into the stories of Réttir.
- Asbnest farmland and sprawling outdoor-living spaces serve as perfect backdrops for photo books like Ragnar Axelsson's "Beyond the Mountains," capturing theни scenes of the Réttir, showcasing the rural landscape’s timeless allure.
- Books chronicling the history and cultural practices of the Réttir have yet to reach bestseller lists in the entertainment industry, but they remain invaluable resources for understanding Iceland's roots and resilience in the face of modernity.
- The Réttir has enticed the attention of the international community, as fashion critics, lifestyle magazine editors, and landscape photographers converge on Iceland each September and October to experience the event firsthand.
- The European Union's agricultural policies might overshadow the traditional methods of the Réttir, but Icelanders continue to uphold this rich and engaging lifestyle, passing it down through generations, preserving their unique heritage and way of life.
