The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TOMTEN

TOMTEN IS A VERY SMALL AND VERY OLD MAN WITH A LONG BEARD.
HE LIVES IN STABLES AND SHEDS ON THE FARMS AND HE PROTECTS
THE FARMER FROM ILLNESS AND MISFORTUNE AND GIVES THE FARMER
RICHES AND HAPPINESS. TOMTEN IS A VERY IRRITABLE OLD MAN
AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE A FUSS WITH HIM NOW AND THEN AND ON CHRISTMAS
EVE A PLATE WITH PORRIDGE MADE OF RICE IS PUT INTO THE STABLE
SO THE LITTLE MAN CAN HAVE IT. THE SWEDISH JULTOMTEN, FATHER
CHRISTMAS, COMES FROM THE LEGEND OF TOMTEN.

James Callow comment:

PUTTING OF RICE IN THE BARN FOR THE "NISSES"--CHRISTMAS
ELVES--IS A COMMON MOTIF IN SCANDINAVIAN FOLKTALES.
ODDLY, THOMPSON SHOWS NOTHING.--F. M. PAULSEN

Where learned: SWEDEN