Every autumn in Iceland, farmers participate in an age-old tradition known as réttir, during which they gather their livestock into communal, stone-walled enclosures and sort the animals, an event that reinforces community ties and the seasonal farming cycle. The practice is a longstanding event in rural communities and is still widely observed today, according to a feature by Vísir.
The réttir are described as a living Neolithic heritage and have been likened to cosmic calendars, shaped in designs resembling sun symbols. These structures consist of a circular stone wall forming the central part of the enclosure, surrounded by an outer wall that splits into radial segments.
At the heart of the enclosure is an inner ring; the article calls this ‘almenningur’ in Icelandic. This architectural feature helps direct the flow and sorting of livestock during the gathering process.
Why it matters
Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic, situated between Europe and North America. The country has roughly 350,000 sheep and réttir serves as a major community event in many rural districts, bringing together farmers and families each autumn to continue a centuries-old communal tradition.
Sources
- Vísir (first reported) in Icelandic
