Re: Huldre and memories of lost ethnic groups (was Re: Nimrina phonology)

On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 02:11, Jörg Rhiemeier wrote:
> Hallo!
>
> On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 18:28:11 +0200, Benct Philip Jonsson wrote:
> > As may be found if one googles for "huldre" and its
> > synonyms there is a theory that the Hidden People
> > reflect a memory of a pre-Germanic population.
>
> This is similar to what I think what "Elves" (as in Germanic and Celtic
> mythology) actually are: a memory of an ancient civilization that existed
> on the British Isles (_Alfheim_ = Britain; _Inis Albion_ means 'Island of
> the Elves') more than 2000 years ago.  Of course, these "Elves" were
> ordinary humans, not some strange kind of "demihuman" species.  They may
> also be the Hyperboreans of Greek myth, and the original Atlanteans.  This
> is the idea that underlies my own Albic conlang project.
>
> ... brought to you by the Weeping Elf
FWLIW, I think that's a common theme throughout the world.  The masalai
(woodland spirits) in PNG are probably the memories (turned into traditions)
of encountering erectines in the Malay/Indonesian peninsular, as it would
have been at that time.

I suspect that neandertal encounters would have supplied the bulk of the story
behind the trolls and other woodland spirits of European culture.  And human
cultures of a earlier material cultural level would have provided the story
for the "elves" - in particular their aversion to iron.  An iron spearhead is
toxic to anyone on the receiving end of it! ;)

Wesley Parish

--
Clinersterton beademung, with all of love - RIP James Blish
-------------
Mau ki ana, he aha te mea nui?
You ask, "What is the most important thing?"
Maku ki ana, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
I reply, "It is people, it is people, it is people."