LL-L "Traditions" 2005.08.08 (04) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 09.AUG.2005 (04) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: jonny <jonny.meibohm at arcor.de>
Subject: LL-L "Traditions"

Dear Lowlanders,

yesterday I heard some funny stories about Lowlandic traditions.

One of them- regarding horses once again- is dealing with some superstition.
Until the middle of the last century one of the main branches of our region
was breeding horses, not only for sportive and military purposes but also as
reliable animals for the farmwork. A good 'Hannoveraner' as their brand is
called could bring a good sum of money on any public sale, and so it was
very important to have fertile mares to give birth to a foal every year.

After a mare had born a foal the farmers themselves took the afterbirth
outside the stable and hung them at an elder-bush which here can be found
nearly everyhere.
This I presume as a kind of offering to whomever, and the special fact that
it had to be an elderbush reminds me to his German name 'Holunderbusch' or
'Hollerbusch'[it's LS name is (similar to English) 'Eller', 'Ellhorn', but
in Old Saxon it also was 'holondar']: could it be a 'holy bush'?

BTW: The useful spin-of of this custom was to feed birds, because the foals
were mostly born at the late winter's times.

Greutens/Regards

Johannes "Jonny" Meibohm

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Traditions

Moin, Jonny!

That's an interesting bit of info.

We discussed the mythological significance of the elderberry bush and its 
connection with the goddess Hulda (> Holle) several times in the past. 
Please see the following archive files:

http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0010A&L=lowlands-l&P=R1506
http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0212A&L=lowlands-l&P=R6291
http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0507D&L=lowlands-l&P=R195

It looks as though in this case it coincides with the ancient Saxon horse 
cult, if not even horse worship.  (Remember the crossed horse heads on gable 
tops.)  Traditionally, Saxon warriors were buried with their horses, and not 
too long ago such a grave was unearthed in Lakenheath, Suffolk, England (in 
the middle of a US airforce base of all places, 
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Death/Saxon.html, 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/warrior_1.shtml,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/warrior_2.shtml).

Thanks again!
Reinhard/Ron

==============================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================