The leaves are turning more and more orange and red as each day passes. The evenings are getting darker and the sun seems to have left for a long vacation of its own, leaving the rain and wind to their own devices. Yes, autumn is here and in the Netherlands that means it’s kabouter season.
What is a Kabouter?
If you have a young child then you will almost certainly imminently hear the word kabouters.
And you’ll learn lots more about kabouters from your pre-school and group 1 and 2 children in the coming weeks.
A kabouter is the Dutch equivalent of a gnome or an Irish leprechaun. Adorned with a full white beard (the males in any case) and a red pointy hat these little mythical beings live underground or in mushrooms. They usually have big, round bellies and pouchy, rosy cheeks. Some kabouters bring good luck. Others are a bit naughty. But not to worry because they seem to be quite shy of human beings.
There’s a Song Too
You are also sure to hear this children’s song in the coming weeks:
A Famous Kabouter or Two
The most famous kabouter you will hear about is probably Kabouter Plop. If you are lucky, you don’t get to hear anything more than the name.
Another is Paulus de boskabouter, a character in a strip comic dating back to the 1940’s which ran for near 40 years. And yes, there’s a kids’ program too. You’re welcome.
Kabouterfeest
There’s also a good chance your child will be involved in a kabouterfeest – a kabouter party – in school. So if you are really lucky you’ll get to dress your child in red and green clothes, adorn your child with a white beard (think cotton wool), rosy cheeks and then stuff a cushion down their trousers….
Enjoy the kabouter season!
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