Norwegian Kitchen Witch

It's no secret that I'm Norwegian and therefore love anything to do with the culture. So when my friend Renee over at Sosanna's Closet posted pictures of the Scandinavian kitchen witches she made I squealed like a little girl at a Justin Bieber concert. Well of course I had to get one for my kitchen! Well on Monday mine arrived at my apartment and I already have it hanging in my kitchen (pictured left).

For those of you who have never heard of a kitchen witch (like Grant who after I told him what it was asked if it was like the "elf on a shelf") here is a brief history of what they are. The kitchen witch, also known as  a cottage witch or a "Scandinavian" kitchen witch doll, is a poppet or homemade doll resembling a stereotypical witch or crone displayed in residential kitchens as a means to provide good luck and ward off bad spirits.

There has been a big debate over what country the kitchen witch actually came from. Most claim Norway and others Germany, but all seem to think that is an old European tradition. The poppet is supposed to depict a witch who inspires productivity and safety in a kitchen, but also counteracts any ill-will directed to the home. It is considered good luck to give a kitchen witch to a friend or family member. For centuries, Norwegians have hung these witches in their kitchens. They believe she has the power to keep roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and sauces from spilling.


There are many different visages of the kitchen witch but what drew me to the ones at Sosanna's Closet is how closely they resembled the ones that my family had growing up. I'm now delighted that I have my own kitchen witch hanging in my kitchen to prevent all the mishaps that, being the klutz I am, tend to happen. So if you want one of your own, head on over to Sosanna's Closet check out the shop! She has some wonderful other pieces as well from fimo animals and Ren wear, to Holiday wreaths!



References:

 The Legendary Secret of Goof-Proof Cooking: The Famous Kitchen Witch