(New page: In Britanny and Vendée-Poitou, les '''lavandières de la nuit''', also known as '''Kannerezed-noz''' are old washerwomen or dames blanches. ==Etymology== ''Lavandières de la nuit'' is ...) |
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Latest revision as of 11:36, 1 December 2009
In Britanny and Vendée-Poitou, les lavandières de la nuit, also known as Kannerezed-noz are old washerwomen or dames blanches.
Etymology
Lavandières de la nuit is the French for 'Midnight Washerwomen' and Kannerezed-noz is the Breton for 'night ducks'.
Description
The washerwomen are dressed in white or green and have webbed feet. Their webbed feet may be the reason they are also sometimes called Kannerezed-noz.
Behavior
According to the myth and folklore of Brittany, the waterwomen can be found near deserted fountains or at water's edge at night where they wash shrouds for those about to die. They are sometimes three which is linked with the tradition of the triple goddess. They sometimes ask the unfortunate passer-by to help wringed out the laundry. If he refused or do it in the wrong way, les lavandières de la nuit would break his arm or strike him to death.