Norway

Norway was ruled by non-Norwegian powers: first by Denmark, then by Sweden. The principal Norwegian indigenous vocal genres are saeter songs, including songs that accompanied the making of food, such as the butter-making song, ornamented and individualistic animal calls, such as goat calls; and elaborated shouts and hollers, which communicated from person to person across long distances. Ballads have been the primary means of transmitting historical narratives and legendary lore in Norway. They have been categorized according to subject matter: heroic songs; knightly songs; ancient, indigenous songs about the supernatural; sacred songs; and animal songs. The most important instruments in use today are chordophones, but aerophones are still used in pastoral settings. During the 1600s, members of the violin family began to be played in Norway, and the violin gradually took over the functions of the langeleik, which faded from view except in Valdres, where both instruments flourish.