There was once a farmer who suspected that his maid was up to no good. She finished her work not only sooner than everyone else but better, too. Most farmers would have been glad to have such a diligent and energetic maid, but this one was not. He had once moved the broom she used …
Continue reading Flemish Folktale: The Witch Who Left Her Body Behind
In the small village of Kerkom (Flemish Brabant), there once lived a man who listened to the name of Karel. Nothing remarkable here as half of Flanders was either called Karel or Jan during those days, but this Karel was said to be fearless. So fearless, in fact, that he was one of the very …
Continue reading Flemish Folktale: The Night the Sky Cackled
In most Flemish folktales, the people and especially farmers who are most often targeted by witches, don’t want to have anything to do with those who brew potions and chant spells. They are more than happy to make a detour if they have to pass by a witch’s cottage, but this isn’t the case in …
Continue reading The Witch’s Downfall: How a Witch Paid the Price for Kindness
Souvenir shops in the Belgian Ardennes are filled with statues, mugs, trinkets and clocks depicting fairies, elves, gnomes and other folkloric creatures that were once believed to live in the forest. If you have a drink on a terrace it won't take you long to notice that most Belgian beers have a story behind them …
Signe Maene 