Äspnäs

Jämtland · Sweden · Natural site

The old woman rowed across the bay to fetch whoever had lit the signal fire – but the boat filled with a rake, a broom and a voice: "Shall I rake, or shall I sweep?"

Before the Black Death there were seven farmers at Äspnäs on Ströms Vattudal, the northernmost outpost of Jämtland. Anyone coming from the north through the forest who wanted to cross to the village went to Gammelbuviken a few kilometres north of Bonäset and lit a fire as a signal to be fetched. Once smoke was seen rising from Gammelbuviken, and an old woman from the village rowed over. When she landed there was no one on the shore. But a rake and a broom stepped down into the boat, and a voice asked: "Shall I rake, or shall I sweep?" The woman answered: "Rake." In thanks for ferrying the plague across the water she was allowed to keep her life. Everyone else in Äspnäs died. To rake means to gather up some – to sweep would have meant leaving not a single soul behind. The account was recorded in 1929.

FAQ

Where is Äspnäs located?

Äspnäs is in Jämtland, Sweden.

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Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.