Have you ever wondered if you can reverse a curse? And is there really a recipe for casting curses? Inga Margrethe Vars will give us an introduction to ganning and curses, seen from a Sami perspective. GROWED UP IN A REINDEER FAMILY: Inga Margrethe Vars has heard about folk beliefs, curses and magic all her life. Photo: Vanja Ulfsnes / news But why should we believe Inga Margrethe? Inga Margrethe knows Sami mythology well through her own Sami cultural heritage, and through her work at RidduDuottarMuseat. At the Sami museum, she comes into contact with Sami research, and the academic side of Sami history and culture. – We have not scientifically documented chanting and cursing. It is very much about faith, says Inga Margrethe. Then we get started, Inga Margrethe tells us all about curses and ganding. What is a curse? ASK FOR PERMISSION: When entering an area that has a curse on it, you should always ask for permission. Then you might be able to be in peace there. Photo: Jan Tore Trysnes / Tor Egil Rasmussen / news Inga Margrethe says that a curse is when someone “hurts evil” at other people, families or places. It could be that a football team will always lose, or that someone will never find a lover. In the worst case, the person who “throws evil” may wish the other person dead. A curse can also occur in a place where horrible events have occurred. For example, murder, violence or assault may have occurred. A curse is a subcategory of ganding. CHALLENGING HIMSELF: Although Stian Thorbjørnsen is afraid of the unexplainable, together with Ole Rune Hætta he seeks out places that have a curse on them. Photo: Dragan Cubrilo / Vidar Tevasvold Aune / news Stian Thorbjørnsen (Staysman) and Ole Rune Hætta have visited several places that are rumored to be cursed in the new news series “The Curse”. People have warned them against visiting such places, as they believe curses are not to be trifled with. – For all we know, a curse could hang over us now, jokes Ole Rune. What is ganging? People who can walk can make events come true without physically doing anything, according to Inga Margrethe. They can perform good things or they can cast evil on people. TEN ABOUT GANDING: Ganding is something most people don’t want to talk about. They think it can be dangerous, and since it is from pagan beliefs, it is frowned upon by most people. Photo: Jan Tore Trysnes / Tor Egil Rasmussen / news When they throw evil at people, it can also be called a curse. According to Wikipedia, ganding is a derivation of an old Nordic word that was used for sorcery and magic related to the Sami. How do you cast a curse? EXTRA INSURANCE: Walking is part of the traditional way of life that naturalists have had as an extra insurance in daily life. Photo: Jan Tore Trysnes / Tor Egil Rasmussen / news Inga Margrethe says that there are three points that must be included when someone is going to pray, or cast a curse. It must have a recipient: For example: On this farm… It must have an outcome: For example: On this farm, a male child will never be born to carry on the farm… There must be a reason. For example: On this farm, a boy will never be born to carry on the farm, because Tore has stolen my wife. Ole Rune believes stories about ganging have an educational function. – A person may look weak and sickly, but he may have strength. This is how we learn to treat everyone with respect, says Ole Rune. Can they use the abilities for their own gain? No, they cannot make sure they win the lottery, says Inga Margrethe. But they can bless themselves by praying to the higher powers. NOTIFICATIONS: Although they cannot use abilities for their own gain, some receive notifications, both positive and negative. Photo: mosprofs / Getty Images/iStockphoto They can do this, for example, before going on a trip alone, or for good fishing luck. – It is not the same as walking, but it is in the same waters, says Inga Margrethe. How do you know if you’ve been ganded? Of course, you can’t have tangible evidence of whether you’ve been cheated. But Inga Margrethe tells what you should think about if you have suspicions. – What you can emphasize is whether you have been exposed to a chain of events that cannot be explained, explains Inga Margrethe. PREDICT DEATH: Some of those with abilities can predict death and other events. Photo: Privat A chain of events can be the example from the courtyard. – If no boys have been born in the 4th generation, then you start to think a little, says Inga Margrethe. Ole Rune is more skeptical of inexplicable things. – Basically, I don’t think so, but I’ve heard stories, so it’s impossible to rule it out. Can you reverse a curse? Football referee Mikkel Nils Sara had enough of the incitement from the sideline, and ganked all of Hammerfest FK. The season ended with relegation. Do you have a curse hanging over you? Then you can actually do something about it. – You have to go to the person who hurt you and admit that it was your fault. Then you can ask if that person wants to lift the curse, says Inga Margrethe. – What if you don’t know who cast the curse? – Then you can go to someone else who has abilities. That person can remove the curse, or can tell who has cursed you, says Inga Margrethe. Can anyone learn to walk? Not everyone can learn to think, but everyone can get to know it. There are only a few people who have such abilities, says Inga Margrethe. LOVE LIFE: You can change the love life of someone, both positively and negatively. Photo: Rasmussen / Trysnes / news If you want to see if you have such abilities, you can get someone to teach you. Some will make it happen, others won’t. – It is an advantage that you are open about the alternative in our world, and that you are willing to believe in the spiritual, in this case the Sami, says Inga Margrethe. One must also have a deep awe and respect for the spirit world. – Another important thing is that you should not make fun of it, and not use it in everyday life, says Inga Margrethe. How are those with abilities viewed? CHILDREN LEARN: In Sami society, children often learn that they should be afraid of those who can walk. Photo: Jan Tore Trysnes / Tor Egil Rasmussen / news Many people may want the ability to walk, but are they willing to pay the price? – You think that you shouldn’t offend people who can walk. This leads to most people keeping their distance, says Inga Margrethe. She explains that they are not necessarily treated nicely and are seen as a bit strange. Children and grandchildren of a person with abilities may also receive the same treatment. Can a curse be inherited? – A curse can be passed down from, for example, father to son. And places that have a curse on them can last for several generations, says Inga Margrethe. GENFERD: In places where horrible events have occurred, spiritual imprints can be left. Photo: Lasse Østmo / news In the first episode of “The Curse”, Ole Rune and Stian visit a place where a hotel has been built on a place with a curse. It is said that it will not be possible to live off that property. Many have tried to operate this place, but none have succeeded. It is also rumored that the place is haunted. – We tried to spend the night there, and it was awful, says Ole Rune. Where does ganding come from? MORE THAN SAMI: Ganding is connected with the Sami, but it is not only Sami who can gande. Photo: Jan Tore Trysnes / Tor Egil Rasmussen / news Ganding originally came from natural religions, says Inga Margrethe. Nature religions are religions where the leadership consists of shamans. Both Sami and Norse religion were natural religions. Then came the Christianization of Norway, and the old religions disappeared. – In Sami society, development was a little slower, and therefore the Sami have kept their faith in ganding and the spiritual more than the rest, explains Inga Margrethe. Watch the TV series Forbannelsen Tør Stian and Ole Rune spend the night in the area in Neiden with burial grounds and an abandoned hotel – where someone claims to have experienced inexplicable events?
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