Dancing like a frog and other things you do when you live in Sweden

Doing the frog dance at midsommar.

Never say never. When you move to a new country, there are certain things that you do to fit in with the locals. Frog dancing is what you inevitably have to do when you move to Sweden.

Små grodorna or “The Little Frogs” is a traditional dance and song typically performed at midsommar, the holiday that celebrates the beginning of summer. Participants dance around the maypole and make dance moves that mimic the frogs lack of ears and tails.

Here’s a literal translation of the words: The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe. The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe. No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess. No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess. By the way, the song and dance are also performed at Chrismtas, but you dance around the Christmas tree instead. And no matter what holiday you perform The Little Frogs at, it’s best done with a few shots of Swedish snaps. Unless you’re under the age of 12, of course.

Tradition also requires that you wear a wreath of flowers.

Dancing around the may pole is also part of the tradition.