Knesetting - a pre-christian baptism
In September we held a “knesetting” for Ole and Even.
In lack of a better description, a Knesetting is a norse ritual, kind of like the pre-christian version of baptism.
The word Knesetting means “to place a child on your knee”, to acknowledge a child as yours. Let’s just call it “knee led” in English.
During the knesetting ceremony, the child is given a name and is admitted to the family.
Originally, the mother held the child in front of the father and asked him to acknowledge his paternity with other family members as witnesses. If the father placed the child on his knee, he had accepted the child as his own meaning that the child was now a full-fledged member of the family. The mother then carried the child around among family and friends, so that they could all greet the child and wish him or her all the best.
I have been told that this could happen quite late in the child’s life. Preferably after the child had survived a couple of winters.
Back in the pre-christian era this was both a useful and necessary ritual. Sadly, in that patriarchal society the mother and child did not stand a chance if the father and his family did not acknowledge the child and take on the responsibility.
Also, between birth and Knesetting, the child could in theory be put out in the woods to die. Let’s say there was famine and you had enough mouths to feed. After a Knesetting, this was considered murder, and was punished. The Knesetting meant “social birth”, and no one could harm the child without being affected by the law.
What I find quite beautiful about the ceremony is that they did not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate children, even children born out of wedlock could be knee led and admitted to the family. This child then had the right of inheritance on an equal footing with the other children.
When Christianity hit the fan, children born outside marriage lost this possibility…
Brothers.
One was born 11 years ago, the other was born this spring.
Like me, Even never had a knesetting or a baptism or any of that sort. He was given the name Even and I always told him that he was free to choose a different name if he wanted to. Over the years he considered other names, but he always preferred the name I gave him.
So, when we started planning Ole’s knesetting, we asked Even if he wanted to join in the ceremony. Both to settle his name and to unite our small family.
“There is no way I’m going to sit on your lap” he said.
“No worries, you can sit next to us” I answered.
The ceremony was conducted by Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost and the script was fitted to our needs and wishes.
Also, I have to clarify: this modern version of the ceremony has no trace of the patriarchal oppression found in the original ceremony from the pre-christian era.
Both the mother and the father acknowledge the child. They both speak the words and place the child on their knee.
The Gydje (priestess) added a few lines about our farm yard tree (linden) and our farm spirits.
Gifts where exchanged between the Gydje and the boys, between us and the Gydje and between the family members and the boys.
Offerings were made to the linden tree and to the farm spirits.
Du er min sønn
Ditt blod er av mitt blod
Ditt bryn er jamnlikt med mitt
Jeg er arnen du ble smidd i
Jeg er hånden som skal lede deg frem
After the ceremony all our guests - still standing in a circle - got the chance to say a few words.
Then we went on to dinner in the BlackBox which was decorated with autumn leaves and moss for the occasion.
Oh, and if you are wondering. Ole is wearing a knitted child’s version of the Trønderbunad. It was made in joint effort by my aunt, my mother, my mothers neighbor and me.
Even is wearing his leather jacket, as always.
We are very pleased with the day and we want to thank all of our friends and family for the kind words and gifts. Also we want to thank the Gydje and her lovely assistant Tonje for conducting the ceremony.
Big brother Even is now fully acknowledged by Christian as a son and Christian made a pledge to always protect and guide him.
A new baby is arriving this summer! Better start planning the next Knesetting! Pjuh…
XOXO Ingrid Galadriel
