How Russia Got Its Name
In 921 A.D., Ibn Fadlan, an emissary from Baghdad, left the city with a caravan of camels and horses heading north. Baghdad was arguably the most sophisticated city in the world at that time, and the Islam it practiced was broad-minded and still very young as a religion. Fadlan journeyed 2,500 miles north to the land of the Bulghars (modern Bulgaria) to convert the local Turkic pagans to Islam, and while doing so he discovered people “as tall as date palms” (his words) who went nowhere without a battle axe, a sword and a dagger at their heavy leather belts. These gigantic men were tattooed in green symbols from their necks to their wrists and had come to the Black Sea ports to trade in walrus tusk ivory, furs, metal weapons and finely wrought jewelry. The locals called them the “Rus”, the red-haired ones, and even though the Vikings sailed back home to Scandinavia after trading, they left their name in those environs forever.
Russia.
This is a bit of the lore I’ll be sharing this coming Saturday night during my show at Nova Arts in Keene, New Hampshire. Before launching into two long Norse myths, in these shows I always do my best to explain the spiritual outlook of the sea-tough Scandinavians, especially the Nine Worlds and the gods and goddesses, giants and dwarfs in whom the Vikings believed. It’s a fascinating and rugged mythology, and fun to learn about.
The tales are THOR’S JOURNEY TO UTGARD and THE MEAD OF POETRY, told with 12-string guitars. It’s a 90-minute show all told, pardon the pun. Grab a few friends and come to Keene. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are $25.
I hope to see you there.
ODIN AND THOR BATTLE THE FROST GIANTS
An Adult Storytelling by Odds Bodkin
Saturday, Sept. 24th at 7 pm (doors open)
Nova Arts, 48 Emerald Street, Keene NH
Tickets: $25
