The Setesdal Bunad – A Living Cultural Heritage

Vibrant colours, shining silver, beautiful decorations, and warm wool.

The Setesdal bunad originates from the municipalities of Bykle, Valle, and Bygland in the Setesdal Valley of Southern Norway. The region is renowned for preserving an unbroken tradition from everyday folk dress to the modern bunad, making it unique in Norway.

The bunad is characterized by exquisite craftsmanship, colourful skirts, woven belts, intricate silverwork, and traditional embroidery. It is based on garments that were worn for both everyday life and special occasions well into the 20th century.

Today, the Setesdal bunad remains a powerful symbol of local identity and cultural heritage, worn during celebrations, holidays, and other special events.

Sølvgarden .
Photo: Adrian Leversby, Visit Norway

Kulturpatrulja

Kulturpatrulja vart etablert i 2013 for å bringe ekte setesdalskultur med stev, spel og dans til ulike stader i sommarsesongen. Utøvarane er unge lokale musikarar med glimt i auget, og dei turnerer rundt om i dalen i juli månad. Konsertane er opne for alle, og gratis for publikum.

Se hele turneen her

Women's Bunad

Bodice and Skirts

The bodice, known locally as the opplut, is sewn directly onto the skirt. The bunad consists of two skirts: the white understakk (underskirt) and the svartestakk (black overskirt).

The understakk can be worn alone, while the svartestakk is added for more formal occasions. Both feature traditional decorative elements, embroidery, and colourful details.

The traditional Setesdal bunad .
Photo: Adrian Leversby, Visit Norway

Belt

The bunad is worn with either a colourful woven belt or a leather belt called jure, decorated with silver or brass buckles. The woven belt is used with the svartestakk, while the jure can be worn with either skirt.

Shirt

The shirt is made from white cotton fabric with gathered sleeves and neckline. Its wide collar is decorated with lace or traditional needlework. Earlier versions were often made from linen and other natural materials.

Apron

Although modern festive versions of the bunad do not include an apron, it was once an important part of the costume, serving both practical and decorative purposes for work, weddings, and confirmations.

Headwear

The traditional headwear consists of a woven hairband called typleband and a scarf known as plagg. The scarf is usually made of black wool with fringes and may be plain or decorated with floral patterns. White cotton and silk scarves were also used for special occasions.

Jackets and Outerwear

Two jacket styles are used: blåkupte, worn for festive occasions, and gråkupte, worn for everyday or less formal use. Both are decorated with traditional embroidery and silver details. Woven shawls such as the kyrkjetjeld and kyrkjetæpeare also part of the costume.

Accessories

The outfit is completed with patterned wool stockings, garters, and knitted wrist warmers. Many accessories feature traditional motifs and silver embellishments.

The white stakk (a traditional Norwegian skirt) is worn before girls are confirmed. In the past, it was the everyday working garment.

Jenter danser i kvitstakken .
Photo: Adrian Leversby, Visit Norway

Men's Bunad

Trousers

The black wool trousers are notable for their length and traditional leather reinforcement at the back. The front flap, called lok, is richly decorated with green cloth, embroidery, leather trim, and silver buttons.

Braces

Leather braces with metal buckles hold the trousers in place and are attached with buttons at the front and back.

Mat på Sølvgarden .
Photo: Adrian Leversby, Visit Norway

Sweater and Jacket

Two types of upper garments are used. The most common is a patterned wool sweater in black, dark brown, and white wool, decorated with traditional embroidery and fastened with a silver clasp at the neck.

The second type is the gråkupte or rundtrøye, a traditional jacket with a high collar, embroidery, green trim, and silver buttons.

Vest

The vest, locally called brjostduk or brusduk, is made of black cloth with a white wool back. It features a high standing collar, traditional embroidery, decorative buttons, and a large silver clasp.

Shirt

The men's shirt is made from white cotton and resembles the women's shirt, though it is usually made from heavier fabric and features narrower lace details.

Stockings, Hat, and Neck Scarf

The men's bunad is worn with white patterned wool stockings and braided garters. A black felt hat completes the outfit, while a silk neck scarf may be tied beneath the shirt collar.

This version uses natural English and terminology that international visitors will easily understand while preserving the unique local names and traditions.

Silver and Metalwork

Setesdal has a long tradition of silver craftsmanship. The bunad is adorned with brooches, buttons, belt buckles, and other silver ornaments. The amount of silver varies according to the occasion, with festive dress often featuring multiple brooches and cufflinks.

There are many different types of søljer (traditional silver brooches), which have historically shared strong stylistic similarities with those found in Telemark and other parts of Agder.

The amount of silver worn depends on the occasion. With the formal bunad, it is customary to wear silver collar buttons, two silver brooches on the shirt, and silver cufflinks.

The largest brooch is worn at the top. Silver buckles are also used on the belt, at the front of the stakk (skirt), and on the garters. The gråkupe (grey bodice) is decorated with silver buttons, while the blåkupe (blue bodice) features silver buttons, a decorative silver chain, and eyelets.

Rysstad Sylv .
Photo: Sølvgarden hotell og smie, Rysstad

Symbols in the Bunad and Setesdal Sweater

The crosses found in the Setesdal bunad have both decorative and symbolic significance. They appear primarily in the embroidery (løyesaum) and in the silver jewelry worn with the costume. Traditionally, the cross has been a Christian symbol representing faith and belonging to the Church.

Setesdal is renowned for preserving many ancient costume traditions. In the folk art and traditional dress of the region, cross motifs also served a protective purpose. It was widely believed that crosses and geometric patterns could protect the wearer from misfortune and evil forces.

The term krulle refers to a distinctive embroidery technique used in the løyesaum of the Setesdal bunad and the traditional Setesdal kufta (jacket). It is a detailed freehand embroidery worked with fine wool yarn in graceful, curved lines. Krulle embroidery is used on both men's and women's bunads, most commonly around the neckline, chest, sleeves, and lower edges of the garments.

These patterns have their roots in ancient traditions and were originally believed to provide protection against evil spirits, while also serving as a symbol of status.

Bunader og lefser på Syrtveit gard .
Photo: Aron Leversby, Visit Norway

The Setesdal Sweater – Norway’s Most Famous Knitted Garment

The Setesdal pattern is one of Norway’s most iconic traditional designs. This is the original lusekofte (lice-pattern sweater), knitted from 100% wool and featuring pewter clasps and woven bands made in Norway.

The sweater is distinguished by its characteristic eight-petalled roses across the shoulders, the small dotted “lice” pattern on the body, traditional pewter clasps, and decorative woven bands along the neckline and front opening. The original design was knitted in black and white, with cross motifs incorporated into the pattern to protect the wearer from evil spirits according to local folklore.

The classic kofte colours are black, hvite, red, blue, green and even pink. There are also differences between the male and female kofte. The male kofte is usually black and the female is white.

Setesdalskofte Norges mest kjente strikkeplagg .
Photo: Adrian Leversby, Visit Norway

Photo: Iselinn Andersen / Visit Sørlandet

The Setesdal Bunad – A Living Cultural Heritage

Vibrant colours, shining silver, beautiful decorations, and warm wool.

The Setesdal bunad originates from the municipalities of Bykle, Valle, and Bygland in the Setesdal Valley of Southern Norway. The region is renowned for preserving an unbroken tradition from everyday folk dress to the modern bunad, making it unique in Norway.

The bunad is characterized by exquisite craftsmanship, colourful skirts, woven belts, intricate silverwork, and traditional embroidery. It is based on garments that were worn for both everyday life and special occasions well into the 20th century.

Today, the Setesdal bunad remains a powerful symbol of local identity and cultural heritage, worn during celebrations, holidays, and other special events.

Kulturpatrulja

Women's Bunad

Bodice and Skirts

The bodice, known locally as the opplut, is sewn directly onto the skirt. The bunad consists of two skirts: the white understakk (underskirt) and the svartestakk (black overskirt).

The understakk can be worn alone, while the svartestakk is added for more formal occasions. Both feature traditional decorative elements, embroidery, and colourful details.

Belt

Shirt

Apron

Headwear

Jackets and Outerwear

Accessories

The white stakk (a traditional Norwegian skirt) is worn before girls are confirmed. In the past, it was the everyday working garment.

Men's Bunad

Trousers

The black wool trousers are notable for their length and traditional leather reinforcement at the back. The front flap, called lok, is richly decorated with green cloth, embroidery, leather trim, and silver buttons.

Braces

Leather braces with metal buckles hold the trousers in place and are attached with buttons at the front and back.

Sweater and Jacket

Vest

Shirt

Stockings, Hat, and Neck Scarf

Silver and Metalwork

Setesdal has a long tradition of silver craftsmanship. The bunad is adorned with brooches, buttons, belt buckles, and other silver ornaments. The amount of silver varies according to the occasion, with festive dress often featuring multiple brooches and cufflinks.

There are many different types of søljer (traditional silver brooches), which have historically shared strong stylistic similarities with those found in Telemark and other parts of Agder.

The amount of silver worn depends on the occasion. With the formal bunad, it is customary to wear silver collar buttons, two silver brooches on the shirt, and silver cufflinks.

The largest brooch is worn at the top. Silver buckles are also used on the belt, at the front of the stakk (skirt), and on the garters. The gråkupe (grey bodice) is decorated with silver buttons, while the blåkupe (blue bodice) features silver buttons, a decorative silver chain, and eyelets.

Symbols in the Bunad and Setesdal Sweater

The crosses found in the Setesdal bunad have both decorative and symbolic significance. They appear primarily in the embroidery (løyesaum) and in the silver jewelry worn with the costume. Traditionally, the cross has been a Christian symbol representing faith and belonging to the Church.

Setesdal is renowned for preserving many ancient costume traditions. In the folk art and traditional dress of the region, cross motifs also served a protective purpose. It was widely believed that crosses and geometric patterns could protect the wearer from misfortune and evil forces.

These patterns have their roots in ancient traditions and were originally believed to provide protection against evil spirits, while also serving as a symbol of status.

The Setesdal Sweater – Norway’s Most Famous Knitted Garment

The Setesdal pattern is one of Norway’s most iconic traditional designs. This is the original lusekofte (lice-pattern sweater), knitted from 100% wool and featuring pewter clasps and woven bands made in Norway.

The classic kofte colours are black, hvite, red, blue, green and even pink. There are also differences between the male and female kofte. The male kofte is usually black and the female is white.

Follow the culture patrol in Setesdal

Setesdal Patrol (Kulturpatrulja)