The Dutch Fair Folk
I’ve said before that “fae” and “fairies” are by now rather muddled terms, because all kinds of creatures are called by that name. But when I try to picture “the fair folk” I think there are some definite requirements to fit the bill: they live in green mounds or hills, are generally beautiful or at least attired in finery, love music and dancing, detest iron, are susceptible to offerings of bread or milk, can bestow blessings, but are also a bit too fond of kidnapping people.
Now, we see faerie creatures with these characteristics all over what used to be the Celtic Isles. The mooinjer veggey (Isle of Man), tylwyth teg (Wales), aos sí (Ireland) and daoine sìth (Scotland) all mostly fit these criteria.
On continental Europe things get more complicated. We have fae, but “elves” are a better cousin to the Celtic fae. Especially the Scandinavian ones (Swedish älvor, Danish elver, Norwegian alvefolk or huldra, Icelandic huldufólk) have a lot of similarities, although they do have quite some specific characteristics as well.
With the German elben or albe we already run fully into “fairy” territory, where all kinds of creatures might be called by that name. We have the same problem in the Netherlands. Elf, alp and even fee can refer to all kinds of creatures in our traditional folklore, but it is rarely a creature such as described above. For years I was convinced that the Dutch - whose folkore I have always found to be largely cautionary and focussed much more on ghosts and spirits than anything more whimsical - simply didn’t have a classic “fair folk”.
But it turns out we do! I’ve been reading one of our oldest folkloric creatures all wrong! Witte Wieven.
“Witte wieven” just means “white women” in dialect, but they are also referred to with other euphemistic terms, such as “the young ladies”, “the little women”, “the good followers” and “the old white ones”, or sometimes “the wise women”. Just like the fae above are often respectfully (and flatteringly) called “the good neighbours”, “the fair folk” and “the gentry”.
I thought the witte wieven were just ghostly women, sources of witchcraft that were also connected to the dancing little marsh lights that lead people astray. That is how I previously encountered them in stories, but I’ve recently come across fairy tales from the more northern provinces where they live in grassy mounds, go out dancing at night (sometimes in the shape of mist on the moors and marshes) and lure people away to steal them or dance them into misfortune. They’re even connected with the stealing of childen and leaving of changelings!
These are all decidedly faerie habits and in the stories I was able to find about them the witte wieven show themselves:
Dancing in the fields around their mounds, leaving trampled circles in the grass.
Helping children to get home safely in exchange for a cake.
Stealing a horse from a young man riding across their fields in the gloaming.
Kidnapping a pretty woman while she’s out to fetch water to come dance with them.
Taking a foolish farmer’s invitation to dance with her and dancing him to death.
Stealing a kind farmer’s daughter in hopes that she will marry their king.
Having feasts on golden tables with silver plates.
Befriending young women after they are given fresh milk.
Hating the sound of bells.
In short, these are absolutely the Dutch fair folk and I am delighted.
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Creatures of the Week
From the Myths and Legends Podcast
I’ve been searching around for a list of all the creatures of the week from the Myths and Legends podcast, but hadn’t really found anything. So I decided to make the list myself. Seeing as my only followers are porn-bots and my sister, I’m likely talking to myself.
Ep. 1A) Huldefolk (Iceland)
Ep. 1B) Changelings (Ireland)
Ep. 1C) Akename (Japan)
Ep. 2A) Alp (German)
Ep. 2B) Encantado (Brazil)
Ep. 3A) Barbegazi (Swiss, French)
Ep. 3B) Fossegrim (Scandinavian)
Ep. 3C) Clurichaun (Irish)
Ep. 3D) Bakezori (Japanese)
Ep. 3E) Cat Sìth (Scottish)
Ep. 4) Hidebehind (USA)
Ep. 5A) Boo Hag (USA)
Ep. 5B) Kapre (Philippines)
Ep. 6A) Mooinjer Veggey (Gaelic)
Ep. 6B) Qiqirn (Inuit)
Ep. 6C) Dullahan (Irish)
Ep. 7) Satori (Japanese)
Ep. 8) Kikimora (Slavic)
Ep. 9) Nuno Sa Punso (Philippines)
Ep. 10A) Squonk (USA)
Ep. 10B) Kamaitachi (Japanese)
Ep. 11) Fynoderee (Manx/Isle of Man)
Ep. 12) Oozlum Bird (Australia/British)
Ep. 13A) Şüräle (Turkic)
Ep. 13B) Saci (Brazil)
Ep. 15) Tikbalang (Philippines)
Ep. 16) Babanshee (Scotland)
Ep. 17A) Lidérc (Hungary)
Ep. 17B) Leshy (Russia)
Ep. 17C) Muryans (Cornish)
Ep. 19) Bunyip (Australia)
Ep. 20) Hyakume (Japanese)
Ep. 21) Vodyanoy (Slavic)
Ep. 22A) Manociello (Italy)
Ep. 22B) Nguruvilu (Chile)
Ep. 22C) Tokoloshe (South Africa)
Ep. 23) Wood Wife (Germany) (Couldn’t catch the German name, Gernweibel or something)
Ep. 24) Patupaiarehe (Māori)
Ep. 25) Para, Butter Cat (!) (Finland)
Ep. 26) Blue Men of the Minch (Scotland)
Ep. 27A) Mahaha (Intuit)
Ep. 27B) Penanggalan (Malaysia)
Ep. 27C) Mandragora (Europe)
Ep. 28) Gooseberry Wife (Isle of White)
Ep. 29) Itachi (Japan)
Ep. 30) Abatwa (South Africa)
Ep. 31A) Drak (English, French, Scottish)
Ep. 31B) Abbey Lubbers, Buttery Sprites (England)
Ep. 32) Kludde (Belgium)
Ep. 33) Nix (Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland)
Ep. 34) Gashadokuro (Japan)
Ep. 35) Papa Boi (Trinidad)
Ep. 36A) Langsuir (West Malaysia)
Ep. 36B) Ra/Radandar (Sweden)
Ep. 37) Mamagwasewug (Native American)
Ep. 38A) Sala (Arabia)
Ep. 38B) Cactus Cat (USA)
Ep. 39) Sandman (German)
Ep. 40) Hyōsube (Japan)
Ep. 41A) Gumberoo (USA)
Ep. 41B) Korrigan (British Isle)
Ep. 41C) Laminak (Basque)
Ep. 42) Lutin (France)
Ep. 43) Abda (Russia)
Ep. 44) Aobōzo (Japan)
Ep. 45) Poludnica (Slovenia)
Ep. 46A) Puckwugie (Native American)
Ep. 46B) Roaring Bull of Bagberry (Wales, England)
Ep. 46C) Sea Trow (Orkney Islands)
Ep. 46D) Selkie (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Denmark)
Ep. 47) Kuchisake-onna (Japan)
Ep. 48) Sensabansum, Shamatin (Ashanti) (Not sure about the spelling on this one. Couldn’t seem to find it online.)
Ep. 49) Lake Worth Monster (USA)
Ep. 50) Skogsrå (Swedish)
Ep. 51) Sleigh Beggy (Isle of Man)
Ep. 52) Shirime (Japan)
Ep. 53) Leprechaun (Ireland)
Ep. 54A) Bugul Noz (Brittany)
Ep. 54B) Splinter Cat (USA)
Ep. 54C) Grogoch (Ireland)
Ep. 55) Gwrach y Rhibyn (Wales)
Ep. 56) Habitrot (Scotland)
Ep. 57) Hedley Kow (England)
Ep. 58) Likho (Russia)
Ep. 59) Nakki (Finland)
Ep. 60A) Yara-ma-yha-who (Aboriginal Australia)
Ep. 60B) Baku (Japan)
Ep. 60C) Snallygaster (USA)
Ep. 61) Side-hill Gouger (USA)
Ep. 62) Aitvaras (Lithuania)
Ep. 63) Callicantzaros (Greece, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Italy)
Ep. 64) Koa (Perú)
Ep. 65) Tanooki (Japan)
Ep. 66) Agropelter, Wind Tosser (USA)
Ep. 67A) Chin Chin Kobakama (Japan, China)
Ep. 67B) Churn-milk-Peg, Melchstik (England)
Ep. 68A) Nain Rouge (USA)
Ep. 68B) Fishman (Spain)
Ep. 69) Leontophone (Europe)
Ep. 70) Loveland Frog Man (USA)
Ep. 71A) Muscalia/Hot Squirrel (France)
Ep. 71B) Abonsum (West Africa)
Ep. 71C) Adaro (Polynesia)
Ep. 72) Shojo (Japan)
Ep. 73) Skunk Ape (USA)
Ep. 74) Ball-tailed cat, Colombia River Sand Squink
Ep. 75) Mongolian Death Worm (Mongolia)
Ep. 76) Al (North Africa, Afghanistan)
Ep. 77) Alkutane (USA, Canada)
Ep. 78) Joint Eater (Ireland)
Ep. 79) Ant-lion (Greece)
Ep. 80A) Flying Head (Iroquois)
Ep. 80B) Gargoyle (France)
Ep. 81) Axe-Handle Hound (USA), Aufhawker (Germany) (Don’t know how to spell it)
Ep. 82A) Asazusta (Persia) (Also couldn’t find spelling >:( )
Ep. 82B) Azuki Arai (Japan)
Ep. 83) Baital (India)
Ep. 84) Bakeneko (Japan)
Ep. 85A) Barometz (Central Asia)
Ep. 85B) Big Ears (Scotland)
Ep. 86) Bisaan (Jakun, West Malaysia)
Ep. 88) Kenmun (Japan)
Ep. 89) Cugrino? Koogreeno? (West India) (Can’t find spelling)
Ep. 90) Caladrius (Rome)
Ep. 91) Camahueto (Chilé)
Ep. 92) Carizonin? (India, Central Africa) (On a bad streak here)
Ep. 93A) Centichora? (Greece) (I literally cannot find these things anymore)
Ep. 93B) Cerastes (Greece)
Ep. 94) Gloso (Switzerland), Nisse (Denmark)
Ep. 95A) Cherufe (Chilé)
Ep. 95B) Kamikiri (Japan)
Ep. 96) Cinnamon Bird (Arabian/Greek)
Ep. 97) Crommyonian Sow (Greece)
Ep. 98) Chonchon (Chilé)
Ep. 99) Cockatrice (British)
Ep. 100A) Dungavenhooter (USA)
Ep. 100B) Cuero (South America)
Ep. 101) Inugami (Japan)
Ep. 102) Dinabarata? (Australia) (How could I not find an emu centaur?!)
Ep. 103) Dokkaebi (Korea)
Ep. 104) Vegetable Man (USA)
Ep. 105A) Dorotabo (Japan)
Ep. 105B) Dragua (Albania)
Ep. 106A) Empusa (Greece)
Ep. 106B) Ethiopian Dragon (Ethiopia/Europe)
Ep. 106C) Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui (Scotland)
Ep. 107A) Flitterick (USA)
Ep. 107B) Funeral Mountain Terrashot (USA)
Ep. 108) Fur-Bearing Trout (USA, Canada, Iceland)
Ep. 109) Fairy Cow, Fuwch Gyfeiliorn (Wales)
Ep. 110) Gagait (Native American)
Ep. 111) Gazarium? (USA) (Some french fry tasting shrimp thing)
Ep. 112A) Hakapezini?/ Grasshopper ogre (Kawaiisu)
Ep. 112B) Hai Ho Shang (China)
Ep. 112C) Kappa (Japan)
Ep. 113) Hackulack? (Tsimshian Native Americans) (Couldnt find it)
Ep. 114A) Haymah? (Arabia)
Ep. 114B) Hama ukiu? (Morocco) (Three in a row...)
Ep. 115) Hannya (Japan)
Ep. 116A) Headless Mule (Brazil)
Ep. 116B) Helhest (Denmark)
Ep. 117) Hili (Lesotho)
Ep. 118) Hinkumenin (Cordelain, Canada) (Sentient Lake, cant find spelling)
Ep. 119) Hua-Hu-Tiao (China)
Ep. 120A) Hvcko Capko (Seminole Native Americans)
Ep. 120B) Hippocampus (Greece)
Ep. 121) Eelay (Romania) (Can’t find spelling)
Ep. 122) Kasha (Japan)
Ep. 123) Ilomba (Zambia)
Ep. 124) Impundulu (South Africa)
Ep. 125) Invunche (Chile)
Ep. 126) Jiangshi (China)
Ep. 127) Baskethead/Isitwalangcengce (Zulu)
Ep. 128) Hook girl/Harionago
Ep. 129A) Jackelope (USA)
Ep. 129B) Kakamora (Solomon Islands)
Ep. 130A) Kaki Besar (Malaysia)
Ep. 130B) Karakasa (Japan)
Ep. 130C) Karkanxholl (Albania)
Ep. 131A) Yule Lads (Iceland)
Ep. 131B) Pipe Fox (Japan)
Ep. 132A) Lady of the Land (Greek)
Ep. 132B) Leucrocotta (Greek)
Ep. 133) Loathly Worm (England)
Ep. 134) Lobishomen (Portugal)
Ep. 135A) The Snail (France)
Ep. 135B) Lugaru (Caribbean)
Ep. 135C) Luferlang (USA)
Ep. 136) Mama Dlo (Trinidad)
Ep. 137) Mamlambo (Zulu, South Africa)
Ep. 138) Star Monkey (Kenya)
Ep. 139A) Mester Stoor Worm (Scotland)
Ep. 139B) Kiyohime (Japan)
Ep. 140) Chupacabra (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Southwest US)
Ep. 141A) Betobeto-san (Japan)
Ep. 141B) Merman (Scotland, Ireland)
Ep. 141C) Milcham (Jewish)
Ep. 142A) Mimick Dog (Medieval Europe)
Ep. 142B) Minhocao (Brazil)
Ep. 143) Mora (Slavic)
Ep. 144) Mozalancha? (Africa) (Not sure about spelling)
Ep. 145) Moddey Dhoo (Isle of Man)
Ep. 146) Tomcod (USA)
Ep. 147A) Muldjewank (Aboriginal Australian)
Ep. 147B) Various Irish Creatures if you don’t keep the sabbath
Ep. 148A) Ningyo (Japan)
Ep. 148B) Nuzuzuu (Africa)
Ep. 149) Nobusuma (Japan)
Ep. 150A) Obariyon (Japan)
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