A sumbel is an ancient Norse ritual that focuses on toasting, boasting, and oath-making. Historically, this gathering took place in a hall or around a fire, where mead or ale would be passed in a drinking horn. Their purpose was to honor gods, ancestors, and shared values through spoken words, rather than physical offerings or sacrifices. Participants would often give toasts to gods, ancestors, or notable deeds, make boasts about their own accomplishments, or swear important oaths.
The sumbel was deeply rooted in the communal culture of the Viking Age. By speaking aloud their toasts and oaths, participants connected with the divine and their community. The words spoken during a sumbel carried immense weight, with the understanding that the gods and spirits listened. Breaking an oath made during a sumbel would bring dishonor and possibly divine retribution.
In modern Asatru, they remains a vital ritual. It serves as a way to bring people together and strengthen bonds within the community, known as a kindred. The structure of a sumbel today often mirrors its ancient counterpart, involving the passing of a horn and rounds of toasts. The three traditional rounds remain: honoring the gods, ancestors, and personal achievements or commitments.
The modern sumbel is still a sacred space where participants share words with meaning and intent. Many kindreds use it to celebrate key festivals or rites of passage, such as weddings or funerals. Oaths taken during a sumbel are still viewed with great seriousness, emphasizing the importance of honor and truth in Asatru today. This connects modern followers to their ancestors and strengthens the bonds of their spiritual community.
