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Paper short abstract

In folklore about nåloupers (Eng: revenants) in 19th-20th century Groningen (NL), the location of their hauntings determine how people deal (or not) with them. This suggests a connection between the natural and social order: healing a breach in the social order heals the natural order.

Paper long abstract

When examining mythological and folkloric systems around the world, it becomes apparent that ‘supernatural’ beings are embodied within a specific environment (like humans are). A question that it raises, however, is what both parties (the locality and the ‘supernatural’ species) do to alter the significance of the other. In what way do the ‘supernatural’ entities change the perception of the environment which they inhabit, and vice versa? Clues to this can be gleaned from studying the Dutch-Saxon nåloupers (English: revenants), people who return after death. In folkloric narratives from 19th and 20th century Groningen, the Netherlands, there is an intricate connection between the dead and their haunted localities. Studying some 120 narratives, a pattern can be discerned that is active in a majority of the stories. Nåloupers are generally unwelcome when living near human settlements or in inhabited houses, and people need to deal with them by opting for one of the several mechanisms in place: resolving the issue for which the nålouper returns, reconstruction of the living place, or banishment. When inhabiting areas which humans do not frequent, nåloupers are however left in peace. In this, another general pattern becomes apparent. Nåloupers create a tangible connection between the natural and the social order. Through breaking the natural order (the nålouper returns from death), the nålouper signifies a breach in the social order (a broken promise, an unsolved murder etc.). Restoring said social breach will heal the natural breach: the nålouper can rest in peace again.