Arabs described Vikings as “pretty but filthy”

[Hamilcar]

Myth.

The Vikings are historically renowned for their cleanliness. Of all the savage things they did, being filthy was not one of them. Vikings were buried with their possessions and the most common kind of item found was grooming. Combs, razors, scratchers, soap, ear spoon etc.

Spoiler!

Most historians agree they were some of the most well groomed, and hygenic people of the time period. They bathed two times a week, more than other Europeans.

Vikings had better hygiene than Arabs have now. The fact that Arabs wipe their arseholes with their bare hands ought to say something.

Spoiler!

He actually lived among them so why would he lie about an insignificant people living near the volga ? Also you imply all vikings were the same including varangians. At least to muslim standards at that time they seem to have been extremely filthy.

[lustermoo]

Arabs wash their parts with water after going to the toilet. White people to this day smear their shit with paper. Compare it to eastern countries where the bidet is a common thing.

Exactly bro this is such a far fetched diss lol Arabs are the standard of hygiene and he uses a plane full of people who aren’t Arab as his reasoning absolute reach

[Hamilcar]

Hmm, why would one group of people ever lie and stereotype a group of people in history could it be, that they were competing with them.

varangians competing with the Abbassids ?

[Ygsi]

Well, duh. People back then didn't eat chemicals like they eat today, so there was no need to bathe everyday. I mean, I myself eat as organically as possible and I definitely avoid spices (eww). I shower only once a week, only to stay clean, and not wear deodorant or perfume and shit. People often say to me that my smell reminds them of fresh apples and ask me what perfume/deodorant I wear. I reply: It's not perfume or deodorant, it's my personal b.o. You see, I can make myself stink nicely.

[Avicenna]

varangians competing with the Abbassids ?

Loool

[Avicenna]

He actually lived among them so why would he lie about an insignificant people living near the volga ? Also you imply all vikings were the same including varangians. At least to muslim standards at that time they seem to have been extremely filthy.

It seems he purposely ignored when Ibn fadlan said they were perfect in terms of physical traits . Why would he state that if he was being biased ?

[Tutankhamun]

These comments

Is it so hard to admit that Vikings were unsanitary? they had levels of hygiene compared to the black tribes of precolonial Africa, If they were so polite and clean like that, the people who had contact with them would not call them "barbarians" but if it's any consolation this Arab himself says the Vikings had a beautiful body physique.

[Ygsi]

Well, duh. People back then didn't eat chemicals like they eat today, so there was no need to bathe everyday. I mean, I myself eat as organically as possible and I definitely avoid spices (eww). I shower only once a week, only to stay clean, and not wear deodorant or perfume and shit. People often say to me that my smell reminds them of fresh apples and ask me what perfume/deodorant I wear. I reply: It's not perfume or deodorant, it's my personal b.o. You see, I can make myself stink nicely.

Also, forgot to mention, that since I hate smoking, I obviously don't smoke, so I won't reek of smoke either.

[Ygsi]

These comments

Is it so hard to admit that Vikings were unsanitary? they had levels of hygiene compared to the black tribes of precolonial Africa, If they were so polite and clean like that, the people who had contact with them would not call them "barbarians" but if it's any consolation this Arab himself says the Vikings had a beautiful body physique.

You are aware that barbarian meant "foreigner" back then (i.e. someone who was blabbering and was unable to speak the mother tongue of the person who called him/her barbarian).

[Zhulta]

A bidet would probably be the most hygenic in combination with toilet paper, i didnt even know something like this existed, it is not found in Austria or Germany. also toilet paper isnt that bad, you dont come in contact with your feces also there is wet and dry toilet paper, i am sorry to say this but i dont find it hygenic at all obscure and disgusting even to wash your ass and clean it with your bare hands.