The Vikings NA
Encyclopedia
The Vikings NA is a Viking-Age re-enactment group based in the United States of America.
The group was founded in 2003 as the North American arm of The Vikings (reenactment)
and it currently has member groups in California
, Oklahoma
, Indiana
, Louisiana
, Missouri
, Arkansas
, Nebraska
, Mississippi
, and Washington.
Its primary mission is to reenact the culture of "Viking Age" Northern Europe. This is achieved through participation at Renaissance Faires, Scandinavian heritage festivals, and other living-history events where period crafts and live-steel weapons combat are demonstrated to members of the public.
The standard format is for the group to set up an encampment — several tents and shelters, with tables of craft demo displays. Members appear in garb — Viking-era costume. Typically, this consists of a tunic
(shorter for men, ankle-length for women), breeches
(men), turn shoes, a belt, small knife, jewelry, and a hat (men) or kerchief
(women).
Compared to other groups much greater emphasis is placed on ensuring that clothing and equipment worn or used by the group members are as close a representation of what the peoples of Viking-Age northern Europe used or wore as possible. For example, man-made fibres, plastics, fake fur and cotton are not allowed in camp.
In January 2009 Vikings NA became independent of the UK body and incorporated in Indiana for Non profit status . The two organizations maintain close ties, and Vikings NA is an Associate Group (Sister Organisation) of The Vikings.
The group was founded in 2003 as the North American arm of The Vikings (reenactment)
The Vikings (reenactment)
"The Vikings" is a British society of re-enactors, dedicated to the study and re-enactment of the culture of the Viking Age and the display of authentic Dark Ages living history and combat.- Origins :...
and it currently has member groups in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and Washington.
The standard format is for the group to set up an encampment — several tents and shelters, with tables of craft demo displays. Members appear in garb — Viking-era costume. Typically, this consists of a tunic
Tunic
A tunic is any of several types of clothing for the body, of various lengths reaching from the shoulders to somewhere between the hips and the ankles...
(shorter for men, ankle-length for women), breeches
Breeches
Breeches are an item of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles...
(men), turn shoes, a belt, small knife, jewelry, and a hat (men) or kerchief
Kerchief
A kerchief is a triangular or square piece of cloth tied around the head or around the neck for protective or decorative purposes...
(women).
Compared to other groups much greater emphasis is placed on ensuring that clothing and equipment worn or used by the group members are as close a representation of what the peoples of Viking-Age northern Europe used or wore as possible. For example, man-made fibres, plastics, fake fur and cotton are not allowed in camp.
In January 2009 Vikings NA became independent of the UK body and incorporated in Indiana for Non profit status . The two organizations maintain close ties, and Vikings NA is an Associate Group (Sister Organisation) of The Vikings.