Intangible heritage
A dive into local traditions and customs
Traditions to be proud of - Discover the traditions that give colour to Eersel and the Kempen region
Those who think of Brabant traditions quickly think of carnival, the sausage roll and the soft g. But Eersel and De Kempen also have other traditions. They show where we come from and say something about who we are.
Pilgrimage
Traditionally, Brabant is part of the Catholic south. It is therefore logical that there are many Catholic traditions here. Ever since 1661, pilgrims from Eersel have been travelling to Werbeek, just across the border in Belgium, on the last Saturday in June to honour Our Lady of the Snows. The Eersel guilds and the Harmonie de Goede Hoop brass band also take part in the procession, during which the statue of Our Lady from the parish of Eersel is carried in a procession.
The tradition originated between 1660 and 1670, when the Kempen region was ravaged by the plague. The inhabitants of Eersel vowed to make an annual pilgrimage to Werbeek if they were spared from infection. The day begins with a service in Retie Church and continues with a serenade, a flag-waving salute, a toast to Erewijn at the mayor’s residence, and the procession to the chapel in Werbeek. After reciting the Rosary accompanied by singing, everyone goes their separate ways.
Music for early spring life - No dew without sound
Dauwtrappen
Dauwtrappen in Eersel is an old tradition and takes place on Ascension Day. The Koninklijke Harmonie De Goede Hoop from Eersel sets out in the early morning around 6am, marching through the streets armed with brass, wood and drums and blowing the village awake. Along the way, the musicians perform aubades (musical salutes of honour) to people who mean something to the village, and in any case to people such as the mayor, parish priest, chairman or honorary member of the brass band.
Somewhere between all those notes is something that is hard to name: a kind of village feeling that you cannot organise, but that is suddenly there. The custom probably comes from Germanic times and revolves around celebrating spring and the awakening of nature. People used to believe that the dew had a purifying and healing effect.
A cosy Kempen tradition - From pub to pub
Farm cover
A ‘boerenovertrek’ in Eersel and the Brabantse Kempen is asurprise tour by covered wagon for couples who are moving in together or. Friends and family organise this tour, often with music and drinks, and it is a typical tradition in the region. The group travels in a decorated covered wagon pulled by a tractor (or very occasionally a horse) from pub to pub through various villages.
The tradition stems from neighbourhood help, where the whole neighbourhood helped with a move.
From flag salute to banner - For generations
Archers' Guilds
The guilds are all about loyalty, honour and solidarity. With their banners, flagons, drums and fixed rituals, they keep a centuries-old Kempish culture alive. They are still visible at special moments, such as processions, commemorations, holidays and village activities. The guilds also include the militia. During the king's shooting, members take turns shooting at a wooden bird. Whoever shoots off the last piece becomes guild king.
There are no fewer than eight guild associations in the municipality of Eersel. Each guild has its own history and customs, but everywhere it revolves around the same thing: solidarity, loyalty and pride in the village. The oldest guild is the guild of Wintelre from 1320. The guild of Vessem is first mentioned in 1398. For the village of Eersel itself, the St Catherine & St Barbara Guild is very old: there is tangible evidence of this from 1506.
Stories that stick around - Discover the secrets of De Kempen
Regional stories
The Kempen region is full of exciting local tales, myths and legends. In the past, these were mainly told in the evenings, around the dinner table or by the fire. Stories about ghosts, will-o’-the-wisps, witches, gnomes and mysterious places were passed down from generation to generation.
A well-known example isDe Gloeiige: a fiery ghostly apparition who, according to the stories, roams the Kempen. He is said to have once been a rich, greedy landowner from Eersel. Because of his deeds, a curse was placed upon him, condemning him to wander the land for ever. His story is still told today, not least through themed routes and sites in the area.
During fair, the whole village comes together - Always a reason for a party
Fair
Fair originated from "church mass": in the Catholic south, this is often a bigger celebration than in the rest of the country. The fair's density and socio-cultural status in Brabant as a folk festival is very strong. In De Kempen, people sometimes take time off themselves, especially on fair Monday. Every village celebrates its own fair, with rides, music, goodies and lots of fun. It is the time to meet on the square or on the terrace, where the beer often flows copiously.
The carnival Monday in Vessem traditionally ends with lots of beer and...toilet paper. As every year, the village turns snow-white for a day, when the trees near the fairgrounds are pelted with hundreds of rolls of toilet paper: that's about three supermarket containers full. Anything goes and nothing is too crazy ...not even putting a nappy on your head.
A warm winter tradition - Atmospheric nativity scenes and stories
Christmas stable routes
The Kempen region (both Belgian and Dutch) is known for its strong tradition of nativity . These routes take visitors past dozens, sometimes hundreds, of nativity scenes built by community associations, parishes and private individuals. Many of the cribs are outside, often with handmade figures. Most routes can be visited from mid-December to early January. Regularly, real sheep or donkeys are placed at the cribs
In De Kempen, this beautiful nativity trail can be visited every winter.
