In Norse mythology, the fate of the dead varies widely—they might go to Valhalla, rest at the bottom of the sea until Ragnarok, be taken by Freya, stay near their graves, or enter the realm of Hel. In some cases, the dead seem to exist in two places at once; in others, they return as draugar to haunt the living.
Are Draugar Zombies?
The draugar are reanimated corpses or the restless dead. They are known by other names, including: aptrganga (“after-walker” or “again-walker”) and haugbui (“barrow-dwellers”). They would often be found around the cairn grave where they were buried. Some scholars liken them to vampires, though they do not consume blood.
Who Became Draugar?
Draugar were often troublemakers, witches, or malevolent individuals in life. Certain types of deaths were believed to increase the likelihood of reanimation, such as dying with your eyes open, dying disappointed in your son, dying while sitting upright, or dying in your own home.
Draugar Bad Deeds
Upon their return, draugar have been known to cause disturbances by riding and frightening livestock, especially cattle. In some tales, they are said to climb onto rooftops, making noise and unsettling the inhabitants. Draugar often return to their homes, sometimes taking on familiar tasks such as cooking or cleaning. While this behavior may at first seem helpful, their eerie presence and unnatural actions leave those living in the household terrified. The unpredictability of their return creates a sense of dread and unease among the living.
The Appearance of Aptrganga
Some draugar were believed to swell in their graves, making them appear larger and more intimidating when they manifested to haunt the living. They are described as Hel-blue and have superhuman strength. Some may cast spells. How they gain their unlife isn’t explicitly stated. They often appear on the scene like a ghost, but they are corporeal, meaning they have a body.
Preventing the Rising of the Dead
Some scholars surmise that corpses, who were pinned down by rocks at their burial site or mutilated after their death, would be unable to rise again, or at least, leave their grave. Victims of the draugar could resort to legal proceedings, as well, formally forbidding the draugar entrance into home. The draugar could then be summoned, judged, and ultimately, returned to death.
Sources: Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price (2020).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draugr
