A sympathetic lot from Brabant

The Giants of Oisterwijk, Moergestel and Heukelom

At present there are only 15 giants in the Netherlands. Three of these live in the municipality of Oisterwijk, which comprises the villages of Oisterwijk, Moergestel and Heukelom.
The names of their three giants are, respectively: Peer Paorel of Oisterwijk, Gèèselse Ermelindis and Heukelomse Mie. Our three giants are still young. They were 'born' on 27th December, 1999, as part of the festivities in connection with the start of the new millennium. Yet, they are a revival and therefore part of an ancient tradition in this part of the Province of North Brabant. Both Oisterwijk and the neighbouring town of Tilburg used to have giants, but they somehow disappeared, together with so many other traditions of the period. The revival of the giant tradition is no new phenomenon. Examples can be found in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Austria.

Peer Paorel of Oisterwijk

Gèèselse Ermelindis

Heukelomse Mie

There was a special reason for the re-introduction, on historical grounds, of this giant trio. As part of a municipal reorganisation the three villages were joined together as from 1st January, 1997. Naturally, quite a few members of the population involved were afraid the village communities would lose their individual characteristics, even though they were fully prepared to co-operate with each other in many ways. These two conflicting sentiments have led to the initiative for the birth of the three giants. Together they symbolise unity in diversity.
This is clearly expressed by the backgrounds of the three. Their names and characters refer strongly to the individual identity of their respective communities. Oisterwijk, for example, is an old town, dating back to the Middle Ages. So 'Peer Poarel' is a Gentle Knight. The name 'Poarel' is the dialect equivalent of 'Parel' (pearl) and Oisterwijk is a well-known tourist centre, widely advertised as 'Parel van Brabant'.
The giantess of Moergestel is called 'Gèèselse Ermelindis' after a medieval Saint Ermelindis, of Belgian origin, but worshipped in this village (uniquely in the Netherlands) since the fifteenth century. This giantess was modelled after an ancient wooden sculpture in the village church, representing this saint. 'Gèèselse' is a dialect form for Moergestel.
Heukelom is a rural hamlet. That's why 'Heukelomse Mie' appears in the traditional dress of a farmer's wife in Brabant before the second world war. She derives her name from a well-known and historic landlady, who was a respected spinster and ruled for many a year over the one and only pub in this village, called 'Mie Pieters'.

The giants are each some 3.5 metres tall and about 70 kilos in weight. Yet they are carried by young(ish) men. This is a deliberate choice since it is the most traditional way of moving the giants about. It also adds to their flexibility, a good bearer can even dance with them. The inner structures were also produced in the traditional way by the last of the professional giant makers of Belgium from twined osiers (a kind of strong and lasting, but flexible wickerwork).
When the giants march out, they are accompanied by a group of some 60 persons, young and old and all of them dressed up. The dress fits the attire of each of the three giants, so that we have 3 groups in fact, that melt together in one colourful pageant. There is also a group of musicians among them who belong to an enthusiastic musical company called FC NOTT, all volunteers eager to play a pleasant piece of music and to create a sociable atmosphere. All this is ample warranty for an animated event wherever the giants go.

That the presence of our giants is highly appreciated may be clear from the fact that in their few years of existence they have had over 15 performances in giant parades and at folkloristic events both in the Netherlands and abroad. They may be invited with or without their musicians, or even just with three or four bearers per giant.
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