afhendingardagur

Afhangardagur, also known as the Evening of Appointment, is a traditional Icelandic autumn ceremony. The event marks the beginning of a short period of time when sheep and other domesticated animals, such as goats and cattle, are kept in pens overnight. This practice is due to the common threat of wolves and other predators.

The tradition of Afhangardagur dates back centuries and has been observed in various forms throughout the island country's history. For a period of about two weeks in late September and early October, farmers gather their livestock and herd them into pens for the overnight protection. Afhangardagur specifically occurs on a Tuesday evening between the 4th to 30th of September.

During Afhangardagur, farmers traditionally prepare a meal for themselves and their family to mark the occasion. According to tradition, this meal is prepared on a specific type of cooking hearth known as a "brauðskör" or baking oven with four and a half meters in altitude. The brauðskör has been used for centuries to prepare meals, with its unique earthen surface considered useful for cooking hearty meals on slower, more open fires.

Afhängardagur is a point of note for many locals due to its significance and inherent struggle and resilience it requires. It reflects the strong relationship that Icelandic farmers have developed with the wilderness and wild surrounding the land and is looked at as something deeply rooted in Icelandic heritage. The occasion may have faded somewhat in modern times, but many still observe the tradition as a key milestone in their agricultural calendar.