Vikings and Fishing Families

Vikings and Fishing Families

Posted by Sena Wheeler on

Familiar Roles, Far from Home: Reflections from a Viking Museum in Norway

We recently had the opportunity to visit the Sagastad Viking Museum in Nordfjordeid, Norway—a remarkable place that brings Viking history vividly to life. As we explored the exhibits, I was struck by a passage on gender roles in Viking society. It read:

"Men and women undertook very different work and had different functions in society. Men were responsible for most outdoor work, while the women were in charge inside the house. But if the man was away on a journey, the lady of the house could probably run the estate alone. In this case, she would take over the man's work and responsibilities."

That stopped me in my tracks.

Because… that sounds familiar

Teamwork Across Oceans and Eras

It’s fascinating how history can reflect our modern lives in unexpected ways. While I don’t mean to say I do everything without Rich—because I definitely don’t!—we’ve developed a rhythm that echoes this centuries-old Viking arrangement. We each have our own roles, but when one of us is away or focused on something else, we seamlessly step in and keep everything running.

And when your life and livelihood revolve around fishing—a lifestyle that can be unpredictable, physically demanding, and often remote—this ability to work as a team, even from a distance, becomes essential.


It’s Not the Differences—It’s the Similarities

Throughout this trip to Norway, I’ve been struck not by how different things are, but by how similar they feel. The landscapes, the culture, the values—it all feels oddly familiar, like discovering an old family photo in someone else’s album.

Maybe it’s because we share a connection to the sea, or because our way of life still echoes the rhythms of nature and tradition. Or maybe it’s because families—whether Viking or modern—have always had to find creative ways to make things work.

 


Behind the Scenes

If you're curious about how our fishing family navigates this lifestyle—juggling seasons, roles, and responsibilities (often from different places!)—we were recently featured in National Fisherman.

👉 Check out the article here (featuring your favorite fishing family!)

We think the Vikings would be proud.

 
Fishing families: The business of catching, procesing, and shipping seafood in Alaska as a family
Fishing families: The business of catching, procesing, and shipping seafood in Alaska as a family
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