Men's bunad from Nord Gudbrandsdalen and women's bunad from Oppdal

A bunad is a traditional Norwegian costume, typically of rural origin. Bunads are local to Norway's landscapes, and the result both of traditional evolution and organized efforts to discover and modernize traditional designs. The designs are typically elaborate, with embroidery, scarves, shawls and hand-made silver or gold jewelry. There are bunads both for men and women, though women's bunads are more diverse and popular. Jump to: navigation, search ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1243x1563, 2146 KB) Summary Mens bunad from Nord-Gudbrandsdalen and womens from Oppdal, in Norway. ... Jump to: navigation, search ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1243x1563, 2146 KB) Summary Mens bunad from Nord-Gudbrandsdalen and womens from Oppdal, in Norway. ... The Gudbrandsdal valley is a valley in the Norwegian fylke of Oppland. ... View of Vangslia in Oppdal, with the main church, known locally as Marit Vang County Sør-Trøndelag Landscape Dovre region Municipality NO-1634 Administrative centre Aune Mayor (2004) Ola Røtvei (Ap) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 21 2,274 km² 2,202 km² 0. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Jump to: navigation, search General Name, Symbol, Number silver, Ag, 47 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 5, d Appearance lustrous white metal Atomic mass 107. ... Jump to: navigation, search General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ...

Bunad traditions in Norway

In Norway, it is common to wear bunad as a costume at various celebrations, especially the May 17 National Day celebrations. In recent years, its use has reached far outside folk dancing, folk music, and particular holidays. Accepted as proper gala attire, it is increasingly common to see people, and especially women, dressed in bunad. The former Norwegian foreign minister, Thorvald Stoltenberg, created history by presenting his accreditation to Margrethe II of Denmark dressed in a bunad. The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year. ... Thorvald Stoltenberg (born July 8, 1931) is a Norwegian politician. ... Queen Margrethe II (Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid), styled HM the Queen (born April 16, 1940), is the Queen regnant and head of state of Denmark. ...

There is ongoing debate about the official status of various outfits, and what allowed varations are. In 1947 an official institution was organized to act in an advisory capacity on all questions dealing with bunads in Norway, the Landsnemda for Bunadspørsmål. Due to ongoing discussions on the status of bunads, it is not possible to state accurately the number of different types of bunads in Norway, but most estimates place the number at around 200. Jump to: navigation, search 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Design and origins of bunad

Woman in a traditional bunad, 1892.

The various bunads have been designed through different means. 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 dates back to Norwegian romantic nationalism and gained increasing interest with the folk dance movement at the beginning of the 20th century. Download high resolution version (481x760, 554 KB)Woman in traditional Norweigan Bunad, Copyright 1892 by the Singer Manufacturing Co. ... Download high resolution version (481x760, 554 KB)Woman in traditional Norweigan Bunad, Copyright 1892 by the Singer Manufacturing Co. ... A Norwegian movement between 1840 and 1867 in art, literature, and popular culture that emphasized the aesthetics of Norwegian nature and the uniqueness of the Norwegian national identity. ...

In some parts of the country folk costume tradition was alive as early as 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 Røros in eastern Norway. Jump to: navigation, search County Hordaland Landscape Midhordland Municipality NO-1201 Administrative centre Bergen Mayor (2004) Herman Friele (H) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 215 465 km² 445 km² 0. ... Setesdal is a valley and landscape in central, southern Norway, consisting of the municipalities Bykle, Valle, Bygland, Iveland, Evje og Hornnes. ... Telemark is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. ... Numedal is the Westernmost valley in South-Eastern Norway. ... Hallingdal is a valley and landscape in central, southern Norway, consisting of the municipalities Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål and Hol. ... The Gudbrandsdal valley is a valley in the Norwegian fylke of Oppland. ... County Sør-Trøndelag Landscape Municipality NO-1640 Administrative centre Røros Mayor (2003) John Helge Andersen (Ap) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 32 1,956 km² 1,758 km² 0. ...

Hulda Garborg (1862-1934) and Klara Semb (1884-1970) are cited as pioneers in bringing bunad into mainstream culture. With Garborg's publication of the pamphlet Norsk Klædebunad in 1903, the focus moved from the creation of a single national costume to the development of several regional bunads. Although bunads are based on traditions in various areas, these designs are embellished by additions such as embroidery. The overarching sense of bunad design is to preserve the way people dressed for festive occasions in one particular era. This has led local and national councils to impose official constraints on various details in the bunad, e.g., colors, fabric, embroidery, jewelry, cut, allowable headwear, etc. Hulda Garborg (1862-1934) was a Norwegian writer, dancer and theatre instructor. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1934 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1903 has the latest occurring solstices and equinoxes for 400 years, because the Gregorian calendar hasnt had a leap year for seven years or a century leap year since 1600. ...

The bunad movement

The bunad movement has been carried forward by enthusiasts all over the country and new bunad variations are frequently created and proposed for approval. Designers such as Lise Skjåk Bræk have developed entire lines of costumes based on the bunad tradition. Jump to: navigation, search Lise SkjÃ¥k Bræk (born Marie Elisabeth Bræk, 7 November 1941) is a Norwegian textile artists, known for her works within ceremonial apparel, uniforms, costumes, rugs, and other textiles. ...

In the field of folk costumes it is common to differentiate 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.

There is a continuing debate about the extent to which bunads must conform to the standards, or whether it is acceptable to vary or improvise based on general themes. Some groups (sometimes and derisivily referred to as the "bunad police") argue that bunads must be sewn and worn according to strict standards, while others advocate a more creative, lenient approach. Whilst these differing groups show little sign of reaching consensus, both factions do agree that traditional under garments should be worn with the Bunad, these are commonly known as “frillies.”

External links

Picture of bunads