Vol. 1, No. 2        The lighting of bonfires           1977

Biiker’s Inj:  The lighting of bonfires (biikin) on Feb. 21 in the evening, is an exclusive North Frisian custom.  It dates back to the pre-Christian era.  Thus it is over 1000 years old.  For many centuries it has been the most celebrated event of the year.  After long and cold winter months daylight had gained a noticeable victory over darkness.  It was a great relief.  Daily work was performed by daylight and their evening meal could be consumed before darkness would set in.  The latter was a must for it was an old custom.

During the whaling period the joyful event of “Biikin” received an added meaning.  It was at this time when the seafaring men, assigned for waters around Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Iceland, and waters to the east of Greenland, set out for their specific harbors of debarkation.  Often the bonfire, one from each community, served as a last greeting from their homeland.  For some of the men and boys it was the very last farewell: their occupation was a hazardous one.