Jostedalsrypa, the Snow Hen of Jostedal

Escape from the Black Death

Jostedalsrypa, or the snow-hen of Jostedal, is generally considered to be a historical legend: it is one of many dating from the Black Death, which struck Norway in 1349-50, that tells of just one person (in some cases, none) surviving in a remote valley. In the Jostedalsrypa saga the families who lived in Sogn, a picturesque mountain area in West Norway, attempted to escape the black death by moving to live in an isolated valley. To maintain their isolation, nobody else from Sogn was allowed to come into contact with them, but would have to leave letters under a stone.

Jostedalsrypa becomes the sole survivor

Unfortunately, the plague struck them anyway, and apart from one young girl, everybody died. She lived on her own in the wild, and became as wild as a bird of the forests.

Returned to civilisation

Jostedalsrypa hid from other people, but a year later was found and captured by farmers who had seen cows stray from the Jostedal valley and wondered what had happend. She was taken back to Sogn and was given the name Jostedalsrypa. Eventually she was married (according to some, to a rich farmer from Denmark). Jostedalsrypa is said to have many desdendants: some say that everyone in Jostedal is descended from her, and the Heiberg family also claims descendency from her.

Films about Jostedalsrypa

Two films have been made based in part on the legend of Jostedalsrypa. The first, called simply Jostedalsrypa, was written and directed by the Norwegian director Anja Breien in 1967. This short film, Breien's directorial debut, was released in 1970 as Vokse opp, part 1 of Dager fra 1000 år. You can buy Dager fra 1000 år online from the Norwegian Film Institute web site. The second, Trollsyn, was also written by Breien, and directed by Ola Solum. It takes rather more liberties with the story. It was released in 1994. You can buy Trollsyn online from the Norwegian Film Institute web site.

Experience more

Today, Jostedalen is a popular holiday destination for those who appreciate truly stunning scenery, and the boat that takes you across the lake formed by the glacier Nigardsbreen is called: Jostedalsrypa.

Wear the sweater

You can buy a (very expensive) sweater that features an image of Jostedalsrypa.

Thankyou…

Many thanks to Bryan Betts for help with the translations from Norwegian. You can read the story in Norwegian here and four sources are reproduced there.