Suchergebnisse

Sociologists and historians have already investigated the anthropological wealth of pilgrimages. Some further inquiries are suggested as a result of a few examples drawn from Wallonia. An undefined but genuine religious feeling looms in the famous military, processions of the 'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse': these seasonal rites help to solemnize the life of rural communities. But, on the other hand, pilgrimage is also permeating everyday life; such a diffusion appears in a map of the monumental or modest copies of the most renowned sanctuaries (numberless copies of Lourdes in the 'Basse-Semois'). In addition, besides the physical pilgrimage, religous elites have cultivated an attraction for the inner pilgrimage, with composite forms which came into vogue: the spirituality of the road at the time of the flourishing "Action catholique"; at the present time, gatherings of young people in Taizé, which are the manifestation of a quest. But now, are pilgrimages on the wane? The progress of medical Sciences, the break-up of the traditional way of life in the country, and the turn of mind now prevailing in the Church are promoting neither local devotions nor thaumaturgical saints. On the other hand, modern transport and advertising by travel agencies are strengthening the concentration of pilgrims in international sanctuaries. Lastly, at the, present time, other factors , are favouring old pilgrimages or the emergence of new places: the charismatic renewal; the rise of integrist protest; the eschatological predictions.

How, according to the folk-tradition, do the Walloons see the Flemish population ? An analysis of a stereotype is attempted here, considering the importance of stock-phrases and tags with regard to relations between populations. For an historian, the study of the folk-tradition sets a lot of problems concerning the research and the critical use of a complex documentation : oral tradition (popular phrases, songs, by-words, interviews), French and dialect al literature (navels, dramatic works, satirical writings), newspapers, etc. With such a documentation, we are able to describe some «patterns» of Flemings : the pedlar, the play-character, the militant Fleming, the farmer, the agricultural labourer and the worker. These portraits generally emphasize the dull-witted and rough appearance of the Fleming. The rise of these ideas, at a some time, among the Walloon population appears resulting from the social and cultural position of a great deal of the Flemish immigrants into the Walloon area.

An analysis of the Wallon stereotype of the Flemish population is attempted by considering stock phrases & tags expressing the relationships between the two populations. The study of folk traditions holds many problems for historians concerning the research & critical use of complex documentation: (1) oral tradition (popular phrases, songs, by-words, interviews), (2) French & dialectal literature (novels, dramatic works, satirical writings), (3) newspapers. Some typical Fleming presentations are described: the peddler, the play character, the political activist, the peasant, the agricultural worker, & the industrial worker. These presentations usually emphasize the dull-witted & rough aspects of Fleming people. The rise of these stereotypes seems to stem from the social & cultural position of many Flemish immigrants in the Walloon territory. Modified HA.