This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] helo Misha, everyone!
I wanted to clarify an issue concerning the slaughter and eating of horseflesh. This was not as common of a practice as people of the modern era believe. In my previous posts concerning the sacredness of the horse to the Nordic tribes, I mentioned briefly sacrifice. There were occasions when the ancient tribes deemed it prudent to perform a sacrifice to their gods/goddesses. In such an event, and if it was ultimately important to insure the safety/longevity of the tribe, a sacrifice of a horse might be performed. The purpose for choosing a horse was considered very carefully because of its extreme sacredness to the Norse people, themselves. In such an instance, the people would not sacrifice what they themselves would not eat. Therefore, they would HUMANELY sacrifice the animal, (A handler would have feed the horse well, gave it good bedding, basically given it every luxury, then this horse would have been paraded through the entire community to recieve pets and blessings from all tribe members. Only the best horses would be used for this purpose.) by slitting its throat as quickly and cleanly as possible. After they had offered the best portions of the horse to the gods/goddesses, the tribe would take small portions and pass these out to every tribe member. This is the only time I have ever read of horseflesh eating in the many years I have studied the early Nordic literature. Another early practice which very well may have led to this fallacy is the fact the Norse tribes carefully culled all of their various animal herds at the onset of winter. This was done to maintain the very best of the best. These horses which may have been culled (there is no direct reference to horses, by the way) MIGHT have been eaten, although it is highly unlikely for to eat an inferior animal may have been dishonorable to the very sacredness of the horse. The Viking Age, 793CE-1066CE would have also contributed to this false idea. These groups of Nordic warriors were fervently attempting to protect their homes, land, families, way of life, and religious beliefs from the new monotheistic invasions. These battles were fierce, bloody, and thousands of Nordic people died. Horse sacrifice would have been performed much more often to offset this historical tragedy, hence, giving sway to our modern perceptions. Lynda This is the extent of early horseflesh eating throughout the majority of the Norse tribes.
