Seljendur

Seljendur is a term that appears in Icelandic-language sources to describe people who live in isolation or in remote, self-sufficient communities. The exact sense varies by text; it can refer to hermits or recluses, to inhabitants of distant rural districts, or to a folkloric archetype. There is no universally defined group by this name in English-language scholarship, and meanings are typically determined by the context in which it is used.

Etymology: The word is formed from sel, a root associated with shelter or retreat in Icelandic, and -endur, a suffix meaning “people” or “inhabitants.” The combination yields a sense of “those who dwell in shelter” or “the shelter-dwellers,” though the precise nuance can differ across texts.

Usage in sources: In folklore and local histories, seljendur are sometimes imagined as guardians of sacred sites or as figures who live apart from towns. In some regional histories they describe communities that pursued subsistence farming in remote highland or coastal areas. The term is largely contextual and not tied to a fixed demographic profile across sources.

Modern references: Today, seljendur may appear in literary works or discussions of rural Icelandic life as a descriptive label rather than a precise sociological category. When encountering the term, readers should consult the specific source for its intended sense and definitions.