Bunad
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A bunad is a Norwegian traditional costume. Bunads are local to Norway's landscapes, and are the result both of traditional evolution and of organized efforts to discover and modernize the folk dress of each district. A bunad identifies where its wearer comes from: the embroidery patterns, colors, silver brooches and cut differ from valley to valley, and wearing the bunad of one's home region is a point of pride. This page explains the components of the women's and men's bunad, the silver that completes it, and when Norwegians wear it today.
Bunad traditions in Norway
In Norway it is common to wear bunad as a costume at various celebrations, such as the May 17 National Day celebration. Its use has reached far outside folk dancing and folk music. Even at official formal arrangements you will see people in bunads, especially women. It is not possible to state accurately the number of different types of bunads in Norway, there may be around 200.
The various bunads have their own distinct origin. Some of them are based on old local customs, other models are reconstructions made in the 20th century, relying on local and historical material. The interest for bunads started with the folk dance movement at the beginning of the 20th century and may be accredited to pioneers like Hulda Garborg (1862-1934) and Klara Semb (1884-1970). Their work has been followed up by enthusiasts all over the country and new bunad variations are frequently created.
In 1947 an official institution was organized to act in an advisory capacity on all questions dealing with bunads in Norway, the Landsnemda for Bunadsprsml.
In folk costume research one differentiates between bunad and folk costume. "Folk costume" being the local dress in previous times with all its variations and use. Bunads are used for festive occasions and today they date back to the folk costume tradition of the 19th century.
In some parts of the country folk costume tradition was alive well into the 19th century. Bunads with such long traditions are to be found in the Bergen area on the west coast, in Setesdal in the south, in some districts of Telemark, Numedal, Hallingdal, Gudbrandsdalen and at R ros in eastern Norway.
There is a continuing debate as to the "correctness" of the bunads, between those that want bunads to be made strictly according to traditional designs (sometimes referred to as the "bunad police") and those who advocate a less restrictive line, allowing for the creation of new bunads or the further evolution of traditional designs.
| The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bunad ). 8/11/05 |
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Making and Owning a Bunad
A bunad is a serious garment: made to measure in wool with hand or machine embroidery, fitted bodice and skirt for women or waistcoat and breeches for men, a full outfit represents a major investment and is expected to last a lifetime, often being adjusted and handed down. Many Norwegians receive a bunad at confirmation in their teens and wear the same one, let out or taken in as needed, for decades of Constitution Days and family occasions.
The designs are guarded tradition. Local bunad committees document the patterns for each district, and the distinction between a true bunad — based on documented local dress — and a looser festive costume is taken seriously. That regional fidelity is the point of the garment: in a crowd on 17 May, an informed eye can read where people come from by the embroidery on their chests and the cut of their silver.
Common Questions
What is a bunad?
A bunad is the Norwegian traditional costume: a formal outfit based on the folk dress of a particular district, with regional embroidery, colors and silver jewelry. Each district has its own recognized design, so a bunad shows the wearer's home region.
When is a bunad worn?
Bunads are worn for Norway's Constitution Day on 17 May, when streets fill with people in regional costume, and for weddings, confirmations, christenings and other celebrations. A bunad is formal dress in Norway, appropriate anywhere a suit or evening dress would be worn.
What silver is worn with a bunad?
Silver jewelry called solje — filigree brooches with dangling silver spoons or discs — is an essential part of the women's bunad, along with silver buttons, cufflinks and belt fittings on men's versions. The silver is often the most valuable part of the outfit and is passed down through families.