Were There Black Vikings?

The Vikings were a group of maritime warriors who originated from Scandinavia and raided and traded across Europe, Asia, and North America during the late 8th to mid-11th centuries. Their exploits and legends have been popularized in modern media, including TV shows such as “Vikings” and its spin-off “Vikings: Valhalla.” However, a question often arises in popular culture and academic circles: were there black Vikings in history?

We need to look at historical evidence and separate fact from fiction to answer this question. Although there is no direct evidence of black Vikings, it is possible that some Vikings may have been of African descent or had African slaves.

What race were most Vikings?

Most Vikings were of Scandinavian descent, which includes modern-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Scandinavians are generally considered of Northern European or Nordic race, with physical characteristics such as fair skin, light-colored eyes, and blonde or red hair.

But it is important to note that the concept of race did not exist in the same way during the Viking Age as it does today. Viking society was more focused on ethnic and cultural identity, with people identifying with their specific homeland or region, such as “Danish,” “Norwegian,” or “Swedish.

Furthermore, the Vikings were known for their long-distance seafaring and trading and interacted with various cultures, including those in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. As a result, there may have been some diversity within Viking society, and some Vikings may have had physical characteristics that differed from the typical Scandinavian appearance.

What skin color were Vikings? 

The skin color of Vikings varied, but the majority were likely to have had fair skin. Scandinavians, which include modern-day Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes, are generally considered to be of Northern European or Nordic race, with physical characteristics such as fair skin, light-colored eyes, and blonde or red hair.

Yet, it is worth mentioning that physical appearance can vary widely within any population, including the Viking population. Vikings traveled extensively and had interactions with other cultures, which could have resulted in some mixing of genetic traits and variations in skin color.

Moreover, it is important to remember that the concept of race did not exist in the same way during the Viking Age as it does today. Viking society was more focused on ethnic and cultural identity, with people identifying with their specific homeland or region, such as “Danish,” “Norwegian,” or “Swedish,” rather than a broader racial category.

Were there any black Vikings? 

While there is no direct evidence of black Vikings, it is possible that some Vikings may have been of African descent. The Vikings were known for their long-distance seafaring and trading, and they had interactions with various cultures, including the Islamic world, where there were people of African descent.

There are stories of individual Vikings who may have been of African descent, such as the 10th-century Viking named “Blacaman,” who was described as having a “dark complexion.” But it is unclear if he was of African descent or simply tanned from spending time outdoors.

It is also probable that there were women of African descent who lived in Viking society. In the 10th century, the Arab writer Al-Tartushi described meeting a group of “dark-skinned people” who lived in what is now Spain and were known as the “Saqaliba.” Some historians believe that the Saqaliba may have been slaves or freed slaves who were of African descent.

Even though there is no direct evidence of black Vikings, it is important to acknowledge the diversity of cultures and people during the Viking Age and to remain open to the possibility that Vikings of African descent may have existed.

Where did black Vikings come from?

There is no proof of black Vikings, but it is likely that particular Vikings may have been of African descent or had African slaves. The Vikings had interactions with various cultures, including those in the Islamic world, where there were people of African descent.

It is important to remember that the concept of race did not exist in the same way during the Viking Age as it does today. Viking society was more focused on ethnic and cultural identity, with people identifying with their specific homeland or region rather than a broader racial category.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that black Vikings came from a particular place, as they were a diverse group of people with a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It is probable that some Vikings of African descent came from the Islamic world, where there were people of African descent, or from other parts of Europe, where there were black populations.

What Were Black Vikings Called?

If there were black Vikings, they would not have been called “black Vikings” at the time, as the concept of race did not exist in the same way today. Instead, people were classified based on ethnicity, nationality, and social status.

The Vikings referred to themselves as “Vikings,” but they also identified with their specific homeland or region, such as “Danish,” “Norwegian,” or “Swedish.” Slaves were often called “thralls,” regardless of ethnicity.

Who Was the First Black Viking?

There is no direct evidence of black Vikings, so we cannot say who the first black Viking was. Nevertheless, it is possible that some Vikings may have been of African descent or had African slaves.

Were There Any Famous Black Vikings?

There is no concrete historical evidence of famous black Vikings, but there are stories of individual Vikings who may have been of African descent. For example, one 10th-century Viking named “Blacaman” was described as having a “dark complexion,” but it is still unclear if he was of African descent or simply tanned from spending time in the sun.

There is also a theory that the legendary Norse explorer Leif Erikson may have had a mother of African descent. According to the Icelandic sagas, Leif Erikson’s mother was named Thjodhild, but her ethnicity is not specified. Some historians speculate that she may have been a member of the Saqaliba or another group of African descent.

Was There a Black Viking Leader?

As we discussed earlier, no evidence supports the existence of a black Viking leader. Still, some Vikings of African descent may have risen to positions of power and influence within Viking society. However, due to the lack of direct evidence, we cannot say for certain if this was the case.

Did the Vikings Go to Africa?

The Vikings were known for their long-distance seafaring and trading, but there is no direct evidence that they traveled to Africa. But there were interactions between Viking society and the Islamic world, with trade routes extending into Africa.

The Viking Age coincided with the Islamic Golden Age, a time of great cultural and scientific achievement in the Muslim world. The Vikings traded with Islamic traders and even raided Muslim territories in Spain, Sicily, and North Africa.

One famous interaction between the Vikings and the Islamic world was the meeting between the Viking explorer Ibn Fadlan and a group of Volga Bulgars of Turkic and Iranian descent who had converted to Islam. Ibn Fadlan described the Volga Bulgars as having “dark complexions” and wearing “clothes of cotton and wool.”

Do Vikings have African DNA?

It is likely that a few Vikings may have had African DNA, as the Vikings had interactions with various cultures, including those in the Islamic world where there were people of African descent. However, the genetic makeup of the Viking population has not been extensively studied, so we cannot say for sure if Vikings had African DNA or not.

Recent studies have shown that there was more genetic diversity in the Viking population than previously thought, including evidence of genetic mixing with other cultures, such as the Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and Eastern Europeans. But studies specifically looking for African DNA in Viking remains have not been conducted to date.

This way, while some Vikings may have had African DNA, we cannot make any definitive claims about the genetic makeup of the Viking population without further research.

The Vikings and Slavery

Slavery was a common practice in Viking society, and they enslaved people of various ethnicities, including other Scandinavians, Eastern Europeans, and Arabs. The Vikings would often raid coastal towns, take captives as slaves, and trade slaves with different cultures.

So, did Vikings have black slaves? No concrete evidence shows that the Vikings had enslaved Black people, it is possible that they did. The Arab slave trade brought enslaved Africans to Scandinavia during the Viking Age, and there were also black slaves in other parts of Europe at the time. Yet, the number of black slaves in Viking society was likely relatively small.

A Black Woman in “Vikings: Valhalla”: is it a case? 

In the upcoming TV series “Vikings: Valhalla,” there will be a black woman character named “Kensa,” who is a shield-maiden and a warrior. While this is a fictional character, it is possible that there were women of African descent who lived in Viking society.

In the 10th century, the Arab writer Al-Tartushi described meeting a group of “dark-skinned people” who lived in what is now Spain and were known as the “Saqaliba.” Some historians believe that the Saqaliba may have been slaves or freed slaves who were of African descent.

Conclusion

There is no direct evidence of black Vikings. Anyway, it is possible that some Vikings may have been of African descent or had African slaves. The Vikings were known for their long-distance seafaring and trading, and they had interactions with various cultures, including the Islamic world, where there were people of African descent.

As we continue to learn more about Viking society and its interactions with other cultures, we may uncover new information about the diversity of the Viking world. In the meantime, we should be cautious about making assumptions and allow historical evidence to guide our understanding of the past.

Whether there were black Vikings or not, the Vikings were a fascinating and complex culture that left a lasting impact on the world. Their legacy continues to inspire us today, and we should strive to learn as much as we can about their history and culture.