LL-L "Folklore" 2001.12.03 (01) [E/LS]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 03.DEC.2001 (03) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian L=Limburgish
 LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Folklore

[English version below]

Leve Lüüd',

In 't ollenborgsche un oostfreessche Dialektrebeed vun us
neddersassische (nedderdüütsche) Spraak wardt af un an so 'n
Sagengestalt upnöömt mit d'n Naam so wat as "Waalriedersch(e)",
"Waalriedersk(e)".  In Wöörböker wardt dat up Hoogdüütsch as
"Nachtmahr", "Alp" or "Gespenst" verklaart.  Nu heff ik 'n paar Fragen:

1) Wat för Saken dait düsse Gestalt uutfeten?

2) Wen hett mi maal verklaart, dat is maal so 'n Aard Gestalt weest as
de iersche "banshee" (< iersch gäälsch _bean sídhe_ < oldiersch _ben
síde_ "Feenfru"), de ehr gresig Geschree to hören is, wenn dichtbi 'n
Minsch an 't Starven is.  Is dat wahr?

3) Woans kann 'n düsse Naams "Waalriedersch(e)", "Waalriedersk(e)"
etymoloogsch verklaren?

4) In de daar Rebeden wöör ehrmaals Freessch snackt. Is düsse Gestalt un
ehr Naams freessch, un gifft dat verwandte Gestalten in annere freessche
Rebeden, un in annere leeglandschen Rebeden?

In 't Vörruut bedankt.
Reinhard/Ron

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Folks,

In the Low Saxon (Low German) dialect areas of Oldenburg and Eastern
Friesland (northwestern Germany near the Netherlands border) there is
occasionally mention of a mythological figure named "Waalriedersch(e),"
"Waalriedersk(e)," etc. (a feminine name).  In dictionaries it is
explained as something like "nightmare," "ghastly nocturnal visitor,"
"apparition," "ghost," etc.  I have a few questions about this.

(1) What kind of stuff does this creature get up to?

(2) Someone once explained it to me as originally a sort of counterpart
of the Irish "banshee" (Irish Gaelic _bean sídhe_ < Old Irish _ben síde_
"woman of the fairies") whose horrifying wailing is heard when nearby
someone is dying.  Is this correct?

(3) How can these names "Waalriedersch(e)," "Waalriedersk(e)," etc., be
explained etymologically?

(4) Those areas used to be Frisian-speaking. Are this figure and its
names originally Frisian, and are there related figures in other Frisian
areas, and in other Lowlandic areas for that matter?

Thanks in anticipation,
Reinhard/Ron

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