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Just Smurfing Along
Few cartoons are as memorable or as often referenced as the Smurfs – sky blue in color and exactly “three apples high”. And while the jokes about something being “smurfy” are appreciated as a flashback to the cartoon era, few of the younger generation really know where the Smurfs came from or originated. As the cartoon characters are some of the most distinguished in comic history, this error will be quickly remedied in an appropriately smurf-like fashion.
A Smurfy History
The era of Smurfs began with Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, also known as Peyo. Before the Smurfs were invented, Peyo was the author of a series called Johan and Peewit. While on an adventure in “The Flute with Six Holes”, the two heroes of the comic stumbled across beings called Schtroumpfs – or, as we know them, Smurfs. The characters were a huge hit, and in 1959, the first actual “Smurf” story was published in Spirou Magazine.
Eventually, the movie “The Smurfs and the Magic Flute” was released, which catapulted the entire Smurf race one level higher in the public eye. Vader Abraham, a Dutch singer, went so far as to record a Smurf song. In the early 1980’s, Hanna & Barbera, a cartoon company famous for classics like the Flintstones, adapted the comics into a Saturday morning cartoon show. From this foundation, the Smurf merchandise empire arose, and settled into one of the more well-known markers of the 1980s. The series has been used several times to promote helpful messages to children, such as an anti-drug campaign and an informative episode about sign language.
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The Smurf Language
Since the Smurfs have a distinctive culture, it makes sense that they would have their own language, recognized as a Dutch dialect named “smurfentaal” by linguists. Smurfs generally replace nouns and verbs with the word “smurf”, and the only distinction as to how it is interpreted comes from a subtle infliction on certain parts of the word (understandable, naturally, only to fellow Smurfs). When used in the cartoon show, parts of a recognizable word would often be left in the new word, such as “smurftastic”, so that the viewer could more easily understand the meaning of the sentence. The ambiguous word has since been used in classrooms to teach the importance of grammar, and is a popular “unofficial” adjective among fans of the show.
The Smurfs
Smurfs tend to be named after their respective personalities or individual traits. Papa Smurf, for example, is the leader of the Smurfs – he is the only character to wear red (the rest dress exclusively in white), and is the fatherly figure in the Smurf community. Other well-known Smurfs are Brainy Smurf, Clumsy Smurf, Handy Smurf, Tailor Smurf, Harmony Smurf, Painter Smurf, and Jokey Smurf.
Interestingly, there are only three females in the Smurf community, the first of which is Smurfette, who was created through a spell by the Smurf’s arch nemesis, Gargamel, to wreak havoc on the Smurf community. The wizard’s plan backfires, however, when Smurfette is given a “makeover” by Papa Smurf, and is welcomed into the Smurf circle. The other two female Smurfs in the series are Sassette Smurfling and Nanny Smurf.
Gargamel
As with any story, there is inevitably an evil force of some kind. The wizard Gargamel is this force in Smurfland. Ugly, bitter, and scheming, the wizard is always engaged in some kind of plot to either eat or destroy the Smurfs, whose happiness he finds repulsive. His plans always backfire, though, usually due to an act of bravery or ingenuity by the Smurfs.
The television show may not be producing new episodes any longer, but it is a safe prediction that the popularity of Smurfs will continue to grow for many more years. There is a universal appeal to the Smurfs, all with different personalities and yet still willing to work together as a group. Pair that transcending message with the sheer fun and enjoyment of a light-hearted group of characters, and you have a combination that is positively smurfy.