Vår tids budeier
- marteostmoe
- 4. mars
- 17 min lesing
Oppdatert: 13. mars
Budeie is perhaps one of the most romantic words in the Norwegian language. But what about the life they actually live?
In the 19th century, the summer months at the mountain pasture—stølen or setra—were filled with hard work. Up early, to bed late. During the short breaks they repaired shoes, clothes, and fences, preserved berries, and churned butter. In other words, there were hardly any real breaks at all.
Today, much of that work has been taken over by machines. And there aren’t many of these workplaces left either. Many have closed down. The seter farms have become cabins, they’re falling apart, or they stand empty.
Toward the end of the 1940s, Norway had more than 21,000 active seter farms. Today the number has dropped to just under 800.
But there is hope.
On the cabin threshold at Samastad, where many dairymaids before me have gone in and out.
In 2024, seterdrift (traditional summer farming in the mountains) was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Several Norwegian farmers are now toying with the idea of starting up again.
Many people ask me how they can get work as a budeie and how it all actually works. That’s why I decided to create a talk: “A Milkmaid’s Confessions.” It can be booked HERE.
Here I talk about the everyday life of a budeie, serve goat cheese, and read a heimstaddikt—a thank-you poem to the mountains and the animals.
If you are able to read Norwegian, you are velcome to take a look at my feature in the magazine Ren Mat: “The Seter Girls’ (Blue) Monday.”
The Story of the Busserull
– from Work Shirt to Party Wear
It’s been on the catwalk since the Middle Ages. A garment equally at home in the forest or at sea. Now celebrities and artists are wearing it too. But what exactly is a busserull?
Busserull, bussarong, bussarå, sailor’s shirt – this humble piece of clothing has many names. Its origins trace back to medieval Norway (1066–1130), and the word likely comes from the French bourgeron or Low German busserun, both meaning a shapeless work shirt. The Latin word bourre also suggests the coarse wool fabric used in its early forms. But it’s the design that defines a true busserull: no darts, no fancy seams or collars. Just a few overlapping front panels and a back buckle.
A Long Life – and Zero Waste
The busserull predates the tailoring shears, and its pattern pieces are all rectangles. Textiles were costly, often hand-woven or traded locally, and nothing went to waste. Today, we’d call this a "zero waste" approach and embrace a sustainable lifestyle. But its lightweight stripes also carry a heavy legacy - woven with sweat, tears, and even blood.
From Revolution to Respectability
The busserull has served in labor, war, and protest. During the French revolutions of 1830 and 1848, it became the uniform of the working class. In 1970s Norway, academics adopted it in solidarity with the laborers - an earthy, practical shirt that made a quiet political statement.
The Ministerial Busserull
In 1991, a special “Ministerial Busserull” was introduced in Norway. Every year, each cabinet minister received a new one. Wearing it symbolized unity, shared history, and the ability to get your hands dirty. The tradition ended in 2002, but these shirts are still available to the public - no title required.
A Deep Archive
The Norwegian Forest Museum in Elverum houses an archive of 400 busserulls. The oldest dates to the 1700s and was found stuffed in a doorframe as insulation. Many are patched or remade into other garments, showing both the durability of the fabric and the frugality of past generations. Today, Grinaker Vev is the only Norwegian producer still weaving and sewing busserulls from scratch.
Threads Across the Ocean
Thanks to Norwegian entrepreneur Ingvill Kaasin Montgomery, busserulls are also available in the U.S. through Hovden Wear in Portland. Today, Elizabeth Moorhead runs the store. For those wanting to make their own, Carol Colburn is a go-to expert in both busserull history and sewing techniques.
As interest in sustainable clothing grows, this timeless shirt seems ready for a revival. In Norway, it’s increasingly popular among artists, musicians, and creatives. A shirt with centuries of history – and a name that still rings true: Busserull.
Raw and Romantic from Skjærgårdshagen
Camilla Anvik was only going to make herself a small kitchen garden for private use. Three years later, she delivers organic edible flowers to restaurants with Michelin stars on the menu.
What came first? The organic plants in Skjærgårdshagen in Brunlanes, or the chefs’ interest in flowers on their food? One thing is certain, at least: Camilla Anvik has, quite literally, a large market to feed.
– We’ve always been a food family, explains Camilla, who in addition to the organic Skjærgårdshagen also runs Stall Anvik. – In England, a combination like this, with horses and a garden, is completely classic, she says. – The horses graze on unsprayed pasture, and the manure is used as nutrients for growing vegetables and flowers.
When an Old Airstrip Became a Garden
The horse has always been at the top of Camilla’s list of priorities, but just under three years ago something changed. The year was 2017, and Camilla was given the opportunity to buy the farm on the other side of the road. The man who had lived there had once converted part of the barn into a large hangar, and on the slope from the enormous garage door down toward the sea he had established his own airstrip.
– Nothing had been cultivated there for more than thirty years, Camilla explains.
– The grass pasture had never been fertilized or sprayed.
Camilla’s goal now became to take care of the soil and rebuild it according to organic principles. Cutting corners had never been her strength, and the work had to be done properly, by the book. As Camilla often says: – If you’re not going to do it properly, you might as well leave it alone.
– I chose the ‘no-dig method, she explains.
The first step was to cover the grass with thick cardboard. Then she mixed cow manure with horse manure from her own animals. Finally, 18-month-old compost was laid on top as a covering layer.
Building Living Soil
Camilla describes as both new, costly, and complicated. Not only was there a lot of work, the comments and criticism grew worse than couch grass! Was it necessary with so much compost? And was there any point in insisting on organic farming?
– Yes, Camilla believes today. – You must know the history of a flower before you can put it in your mouth and eat it. The same varieties may exist in ordinary garden centers, but there they have been both fertilized and sprayed so they’ll come into bloom quickly.
At Skjærgårdshagen they think more holistically, and as Camilla explains, they look at the entire process.
– We have pollinating plants, the bees come here, collect pollen and make honey that I sell in the shop.
But in order to produce healthy—and beautiful—products, the soil must also be carefully cultivated.
– The soil here in Brunlanes is very sandy. To keep the nutrients from simply disappearing, you need to give it a little extra help.
Wood chips were also laid between the rows. The main intention was simply to make it easier and cleaner to walk there and harvest, but the measure turned out to have other benefits as well.
– We cut the trees from our own property and were certain they hadn’t been sprayed either. What I hadn’t thought about was that the chips help form mycorrhiza, which helps the plants draw nutrients from deeper in the ground. In addition, it seems that slugs don’t thrive where there are wood chips.
Learning from Nature
In record time, organic herbs, vegetables, and flowers could now be grown at Skjærgårdshagen. Three of the total seven declares of land are each year left ready for inspection.
– It’s good to quality-assure the production, Camilla believes.
At the same time, she is very humble about the craft.
– Nothing must go wrong, but at the same time there’s no definitive answer to this. My best teacher is nature itself.
Fortunately, the eco-debutante also has others to lean on. Tore Jardar, a local, community supported agriculture (CSA) farmer, is a great source of inspiration. The same applies for Skalleberg nursery, and Camilla would especially like to thank Arvid De Haes.
– He has been my mentor when it comes to vegetables.
But where De Haes has large greenhouses, Anvik only has a stable.
– I grow the plants forward in the tack room and then move them in and out for air.”
Once again Camilla must remind herself that she was originally only supposed to make a kitchen garden for the family. At some point, it simply took off. – Taking off” is, incidentally, an expression that is also frequently used in her actual profession.
– It’s no secret that my real job is as an air traffic planner in the tower at Oslo Airport.
Between Runway and Flower Beds
At Gardermoen, Oslo´s international airport, Camilla makes sure that airplanes both take off and land safely. When she is at home, she tends the flowers that now grow on the east and west sides of a local airstrip.
In other people’s eyes, there is a long distance between airplanes and gardens, but both are important in Camilla’s life.
When describing herself, she first and foremost uses the term “garden person.”
Organic farming may not be her strongest academic discipline. But when she talks about the operation now, her eyes light up. Perhaps it is because of little sleep, perhaps it is enthusiasm—or perhaps it is the Michelin stars we, see?
Flowers for Michelin Kitchens
Camilla scrolls through the feed on her Instagram account. Was it in 2019? Or 2020?
In any case, this is what happened: the master chef Gunnar Hvarnes was asked to serve a six-course dinner at the climbing park Høyt & Lavt in Lardal. Someone tipped him off about the edible flowers from Skjærgårdshagen. In a flash, Hvarnes and Anvik had made contact. Since then, the national culinary team has held several events at Skjærgårdshagen.
In addition, she has gained many local customers, and once a week a car arrives to pick up edible flowers destined for Restaurant Speilsalen in Trondheim.
I think I’ve brought out many of the same qualities I had as a competitive rider, explains Camilla Anvik. – I always searched for the best trainers so that I constantly had something to strive for. Running an organic garden is something quite different, but there are similarities. It certainly helps to be a competitive!
The Norwegian Cabin - The New Home
– Let’s go to the cabin! In Norway, those words are almost like a magic spell. Many Norwegians find happiness spending time at the cabin. It is a place associated with wonderful memories and future family gatherings. Interior design and indoor coziness are also in significance. There must be candles, a fireplace, and preferably a sauna. However, the best part of being at the cabin is being in the outdoors.
The three words "cabin," "happiness," and "trip" are closely linked in Norwegian culture. You don't go to the cabin without combining it with a fishing trip, berry picking, skiing, cycling, a family hike, a run, or at least a walk. Many people have specific outings that they must undertake during their cabin stay. You need to row to the end of the fishing lake or hike to the nearest mountain peak. These trips become like rituals, but they can also become small physicals tests. Am I in as good shape as last year? Am I more out of breath?
At the top of the mountain, you will often find a mailbox. Inside it, there is a book where we write down our names and the date. We can also peek to see who was here last and flip back to find our own previous signatures.
Family, Siblings, and Sweet Moments
We enjoy the view and take out our packed lunch. In the thermos, there's coffee or hot cocoa. After a sandwich or two, the meal can end with a piece of chocolate. Now we can return to the cabin, and only after a trip like this is it acceptable to rest, cook a good meal, light the fireplace, or maybe even heat up the sauna. Over half of all Norwegians own or have access to a cabin. Some even have two or more – one in the mountains, and one by the sea. Additionally, some may own a so-called holiday home or summer house. These are often properties they have inherited and share with siblings or other relatives. For many, the ideal is to own a cabin not more than two hours´ drive from home. This makes it possible to go there almost every weekend. The place can also serve as a natural gathering point and be used for midsummer parties, Christmas celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, or plain relaxation.
Out and about, never a dull moment
Research shows that there is a close connection between the time we spend outdoors and our physical and mental health. A hundred years ago, much of our work was done outdoors, and access to fresh air and physical activity was a daily routine. With industrialization and later the information society, this changed radically. Fortunately, in the early 1900s, Norway introduced a holiday law. This law states that a worker is entitled to 25 days off per year. From then on, many took the opportunity to seek back to nature. In the 50s and 60s, the desire for a personal holiday spot also increased. Cabin building became a mass phenomenon. During this decade, approximately 15,000 cabins were built each year. Not bad for a country with just above 3 million people at the time.
Home is Good, but Away is Best
In Norway, we have a saying: "Away is good, but home is best." Or is it the opposite? In 2022, Norwegians set an enormous travel record. The Norwegian population of around 5.5 million, made a total of 22 million trips throughout that year. A trip in this context is defined as a travel with at least one overnight stay away from home. Many of these trips went to cabins. There are a total of 481,000 cabins in Norway. Some trips also went abroad, as nearly 90,000 Norwegians own a property outside the country's borders. Of these, 10,000 are in neighboring Sweden. However, the most popular destination is Spain, where approximately 27,000 Norwegians travel when they say they are going to the cabin. Nevertheless, the phrase "let’s go to the cabin" will before anything else relate to Norwegian nature and the joy of walking in the forest or breathing the fresh, cold air form the mountains or the sea.
Own or Rent
When we say that over half of Norwegians own a cabin, this is pure statistics. As with all other earthly belongings, there are always some who own much and others who own nothing. But fear not! A cabin trip is never far away and doesn't need to cost much. Both the private and public markets offer rental cabins. Additionally, you can join the Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforeningen, DNT). As a member, you can get a key to 580 cabins spread throughout the country. Some of these are self-service, meaning you must take care of yourself, bring your own food, and clean up after yourself. These cabins are open, and you might have to share them with others who are also hiking. Through DNT, you can also rent cabins for private use, or stay at serviced cabins where you can buy a good meal and finish with a delicious dessert. Many of these cabins are also licensed to serve alcohol.
A Beating Waffle Heart
Food and good drinks are integral to the cabin trip. We often expect something a bit special when we're at the cabin. It should be something extra delicious, preferably traditional farmhouse dish such as meatballs served with potatoes and homemade lingonberry jam, lapskaus (a type of stew), or sour cream porridge with cured meats. With coffee, there must be lefse, sveler, or fresh waffles. Some like homemade red jam on their waffles, others prefer sugar, and some want sour cream. Some like to combine all three toppings.
The food traditions around the cabin trip can be traced back to the custom of moving to the mountain pastures. In the old days, a "seter" or "støl" was a rural property consisting of a small barn and a simple cabin. Livestock were taken there in the summer for the best grazing. The goats and cows would then provide nutritious and healthy milk, which was used to churn butter, make cheese, sour cream, and cook prim (a type of Norwegian dairy product). Women handled the work with the animals and food. The farmer himself managed the main farm, but at the seter, the housewife, the farm's daughters, or an aunt or two were in charge.
The women working at the seter were called milkmaids. In addition to all the responsibilities of animal care and food production, they also had to welcome guests or strangers who happened to pass by. It was customary to offer a good bed, rest, and of course, a hearty, nourishing meal.
From cozy to crime
When guests left the seter, they would often write a note in the milkmaids' logbook. This custom has continued in modern times, and any respectable cabin has a guest book. Here, the arrival and departure dates, who was present, and what was done are noted – be it restoration work or mountain climbing. If fishing was involved, it is important to note the fish's size, weight, and taste. The texts in a cabin guest book can be considered a unique literary genre. Common to these notes is that they always include a comment on the weather. The guest books are written by guests and cabin owners, but cabin life also provides rich material for many professional authors.
In recent years, several books and novels have been set in cabins. In her novel "Arv og Miljø" (Will and Testament), Vigdis Hjorth writes about how problematic it can be when a cabin must be shared among several siblings. In "Gjestene" (The Guests), Agnes Ravatn uses the cabin as a symbol of class differences and power dynamics. Cabin life is thus not just about romance and coziness; it can be a place where close bonds break, love fades, harsh comments fly, and conflicts abound.
As if this isn't enough misery, many Norwegians love to read crime novels when they are at their cabin and especially at Easter. The cabin bookshelf often contains many dark titles and black covers, alongside reference books about birds and fish, rocks, and flora. The shelf must also have maps, travel books, DIY guides, self-help books, and books with lists of suitable party games to bring family members together, such as trivia games and quizzes.
Happiness is Having Your Own Cabin
When Norwegians are at home, we almost constantly long for the cabin. Only when we arrive there can we take a deep breath, find peace with ourselves and the rest of the world – we unplug. But in recent times, cabins have almost the same standard as houses. The result is that when we are at the cabin, we don't just unplug but also plug in. Especially after COVID, many have embraced workcations. It's not just the kids and the dog that go on cabin trips; work, phone, and laptop come along, too. The longer we stay at the cabin, the greater the need for increased comfort, and Norwegians are particular about their interior arrangements. Altogether, they spend 95 billion Norwegian kroner, nearly 9 billion American dollars, on renovating houses and cabins each year.
From being simple shelters with a lot of drafts, where water had to be fetched from a stream or well and there was no electricity, just wood stoves, oil lamps, and candles, Norwegian cabins now offer facilities such as double garages, jacuzzies, saunas, and TVs in the bedrooms.
Some Norwegians choose to live less luxuriously at home and instead invest everything in the cabin. If families are to reunite and parties arranged, the gathering is often held at the cabin: Here is room for everyone. Respectively, some call the cabin the new Norwegian home. In Norway, it is almost a human right to spend a holiday or two at the cabin. But are we satisfied now?
A true lucky break
Every year, the United Nations conducts a survey to determine which country in the world has the happiest inhabitants. In 2017, Norway won. This feels like a long time ago. We are steadily moving down the list. Compared to the other Nordic countries – Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland – we are at the bottom. At the same time, Norway is the country in the Nordics where the most people own a cabin. And while the happiness index is declining, cabin construction is on the rise.
The ultimate holiday is time spent at the cabin. On the way there, whether to the mountains, the sea, or an apartment in Spain, we are full of high expectations for relaxing days. The old magic formula for Norwegian happiness is still valid: – Let’s go to the cabin!
Who was the first Norwegian settle down in America?
Cleng Peerson – a man of Mystery and Many Names
Was he charismatic, brilliant, or just restlessly adventurous? Cleng Peerson, known as The Father of Norwegian Migration, remains an elusive figure.
According to Professor Nils Olav Østrem, a leading expert in Norwegian-American migration history, even Peerson’s birthdate is uncertain. Some claim he was born on May 17, Norway’s future Constitution Day, a detail as symbolic as it is debatable.
From Tysvær to the New World
Born in Tysvær on Norway’s west coast, Peerson was the eldest son of a farmer. He inherited nothing, but he dreamed big. In 1802, he registered for naval service, hoping to become a sailor. According to Østrem, it is likely that Peerson made his first Atlantic crossing in 1821, sailing from Gothenburg on a cargo ship, not meant for passengers, bound for America.
Cleng’s boldness and language skills made him valuable to a small but determined religious group: the Norwegian Quakers, or Vennenes samfunn, as they called themselves. Østrem explains how their beliefs clashed with Norway’s strict Lutheran conformity. – They rejected authority, ceremonies, and even clergy. America, with its religious freedom, became their promised land.
The Historic Journey of the Restauration
Peerson’s scouting mission seemed successful. In 1825, 52 Norwegian Quakers left Stavanger aboard the Restauration, setting sail on July 4. After more than three months at sea, they arrived in New York and settled near Kendall in Orleans County. But the forests proved too dense, and farming was hard. – Again, Peerson was sent ahead to search for better conditions, says Østrem.
A Pioneer’s Path Through the Midwest
In the 1830´s, letters from La Salle County, Illinois, described fertile land. But rising prices forced the settlers to move again—first to Shelby County, Missouri, then on to Lee County, Iowa. Each time, Peerson led the way.
Østrem notes: – Not everything Cleng promised came true. Some back in Norway even accused him of exaggerating life in America. Whether motivated by hope or conviction, Peerson remained a key figure in the migration wave. There is no official record confirming his Quaker membership, but Østrem believes he sympathized with them.
Love, Loss, and Unconventional Choices
Cleng Peerson’s personal life was as untraditional as his journeys. In 1807 he married Swedish seamstress Ane Katrine Sælinger, 30 years older. After two years, he left her and their small home at Kindingstadhagen in Finnøy, Norway.
Later, he joined the Bishop Hill colony in Illinois, a Swedish religious community. There, he married Maria Charlotta Dahlgren, 26 years younger. – The marriage may have been arranged by sect leader Erik Janson, Østrem suggests. Yet tragedy struck when cholera swept the community, and Maria died.
A Final Chapter in Texas
In 1849, Peerson set off again—this time to Texas. In the Norwegian newspaper Democraten, he praised the climate, fertile soil, and peaceful life. "He described it almost like a paradise," Østrem recalls.
Cleng Peerson died in 1865. Though he left no heirs, his legacy lived on. In 2012 his Texas homestead was purchased by a couple from his native Tysvær. A monument marks his grave in a Lutheran cemetery, but the full story of this pioneer remains unsolved.
Østrem still wonders. Was he a leader, a storyteller, a dreamer, or perhaps all three? Who was Cleng Peerson?
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