An Autumn Tradition That Brings People and Sheep Together

Every autumn, sheep farmers across Iceland gather their sheep from the mountains and bring them back down to the farms. It is a task that requires cooperation, and farmers often need to join forces to make sure the work is done. In each rural community, organized round-ups are arranged, with designated teams responsible for searching specific areas of the mountains.

There has always been a certain sense of adventure and excitement surrounding the autumn round-ups. Young people watch eagerly as the shepherds set off into the mountains, and the anticipation only grows as the sheep are brought together for the sorting.

The round-ups generally take place during September and October. Traditionally, the sheep were gathered only once, but today there are usually two organized round-ups, and sometimes a third search, known as an eftirleit, is carried out to find sheep that have been missing. In the past, these later searches could be particularly challenging and even dangerous when weather conditions turned severe.

Once the sheep have been brought down from the mountains, it is common in many areas to let them rest for a day before the sorting takes place. On sorting day, a designated sorting supervisor takes charge and is responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly. This person is usually highly experienced at recognizing the different sheep markings and has access to the records needed to identify each animal. Any uncertainty over ownership or markings is brought to the supervisor for a decision.

When sorting day arrives, the sheep are driven into the central enclosure, known as the rétt, and the real action begins. Everyone who is able lends a hand, searching through the flock for sheep belonging to their farm and directing them into the appropriate pens. Around the main enclosure are individual pens belonging to different farms or communities.

In many ways, the réttir is like an outdoor community gathering place. The barking of sheepdogs and the bleating of sheep mix with the sounds of vehicles, shouts, laughter and sometimes even singing. Some arrive with a flask to share, while others bring their traditional snuff boxes. In recent years, it is not unusual for the number of people attending to outnumber the sheep themselves.

For some, the réttir are an essential part of autumn and a tradition passed down through generations. For others, they offer a unique opportunity to experience Icelandic culture, rural life and community spirit first-hand.

The sheep round-ups are much more than a farming task – they are a celebration of cooperation, tradition and the arrival of autumn in the Icelandic countryside.