Culture & Traditions

The language of the Faroe Islands is Faroese, a derivative of old Norse which Norse settlers brought when they settled here. Most of the settlers were not from Scandinavia but descendants of Norse settlers in the Irish Sea. Faroe translates to Sheep Islands, which is fitting given how the sheep outnumber people in the islands. Providing wool and meat, sheep are integral to the Faroese way of life. Fish also meets locals' nutritional needs and aquaculture is an important economic activity in the Faroes.

Lutheran Christianity is the dominant religion in the Faroe Islands. Dance is at the heart of local festivals. The Faroese round dance is a mediaeval round dance consisting of movement, rhythm, storytelling, and song. Participants hold hands to form a circle and move to the singing or chanting of the leader. The songs revolve around local legend and lore.

To observe an interesting Faroese cultural facet, look at the roofs of homes. They're not covered with tiles or slate but layers of green grass. Most homes have turf roofs not only as a tradition but also for the effective heat insulation the natural material provides.

Much of Faroe Islands' culture is derived from old Norse traditions, including the rather infamous whale hunt called grindadráp in which pilot whales are herded into shallow bays to be beached and killed. The evidence of whaling on the islands dates back to the early days of the Norse settlement (800-900 AD) during the Viking era. The grind is a non-commercial activity; each hunter receives an equal portion of the whale meat and blubber. Occasionally, some portions may be sold to local hotels and restaurants.