Amber HolbrookCulture Scrapbook

PopulationNorway’s population is over 4.6 and growing at .33% a year.

It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world!

2 largest cities are Oslo(876,000) and Bergen(235,000)

About 60,00 native Sami (pronounced “SAW-me”) live in the north. Their ancestors were the inhabitants of northern Norway

Population Facts

LanguageThe 3 main languages are Bokmål and Nynorks and Sami.Bokmål or “book language” is the most common language in Norway.It is spoke by about 80% of the people and used in written works.The law requires that Nynorks is used in some school.

Language Cont.The red is Bokmål.The blue is Nynorks.The gray is Sami.

ReligionMore than 85% of Norway belongs to the Church of Norway.The Church of Norway is Evangelical Lutheran. Many other Christian churches are in the country like Pentecostals, Roman Catholics, Protestant groups, and Muslims.Only about half of the population practices religion. Most people go to church only for special occasions.

Religion Cont.

Relation/Gestures/Greetings

For Norwegians shaking hands is both formal and informal.Informal shakes are firm and short.For formal handshakes are longer and warmer.Everyone greets each other will a Morn (meaning “Morning”), no matter the time of day.

Relation/Gestures/Greetings Cont.

HolidaysTheir official holidays are New Year’s Day, Easter (Thursday-Monday), Labor Day (May 1), Constitution Day ( May 17), and Christmas (Dec. 24-26).Most businesses close on these days. Their flag is a prominent feature of all holidays; its even used as a Christmas tree decoration.

Holiday Cont.Constitution Day is like our Fourth of July.On Easter families like to go skiing.Christmas is their biggest celebration of the year. At 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, bells ring and Christmas official begins. Children love stories about Julenisse (Father Christmas). Families gather for big meals and gift exchanges.

Holidays Cont.

DatingSerious dating is discouraged with young teens.Group dating stars around the ages 14-18.Some favorite pastimes are dances, outdoor activities, and movies.

MarriageMost couples live together before or instead of being marrying.Women normally marry at 31 and men at 34.Weddings are in churches or before a judge at the public office.About 50% of the marriages end in divorce.

Dating and Marriage Cont.

FoodBreakfast and lunch normally consist of open-faced cheese or ham sandwiches and coffee or milk.For the main meal they have meat or fish, veggies, and soup or dissert. Ice cream and pudding are popular disserts.Specialty dishes include fish balls served in a milk sauce, smoked salmon, lutefisk (cod or coalfish, soaked in potash lye), fårikål (cabbage and mutton) smalahode (sheep’s head), and a lot more. Delis sell ready-made fried fish, fish cakes, fish pudding, and meatballs.

Food Cont.

Smalahode

Fårikål Lutefisk

ClothingThe three main types of clothing are bunad, lusekofte, selburose.Bunad is a rural origin.Lusekofte is from the 19th century.Selburose is worn in the winter.

Clothing Cont

Sports/RecreationMost of the Norwegians are physically active. They enjoy skiing, especially cross-country skiing. Lillehammer was the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics.Fishing and boating are also popular.Other sports they enjoy are soccer, swimming, and hiking in the summer months. Sports are not apart of school actives but each community has its own sports club.

Sports/Recreation Cont.

ArtMany families participate in performing arts, by performing themselves or going to the theater and other cultural events.Folk music is popular in many festivals. The best-known folk dance is the halling. This is when the male dancer do tricks and leaps.

Art Cont.The Norwegian Opera, the Norwegian Mallet, and many orchestras add to the art scene.Folk stories are popular too.Contemporary art includes painting, textiles, jewelry, and furniture.

Art Cont.

The Scream

Norway Opera House