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Editorial La Presse de la Manche
Published on
Jan 8, 2025 at 8:33 a.m.
In the Pointe de la Hague (Manche), when we mention the name of Sébastien Houillier, we are told: “It’s the garde littoral of the Hague! » The man is in fact part of the mixed coastal spaces union of the Channel, with Hugo Leclerc and Christelle Bonnisent.
But Sébastien Houillier, who works in the natural and historical heritageis much more than a simple coast guard, it is a true enthusiast of the history of the Hague, in all its facets, which he loves to share and tell.
Fairies, Goublins and other “diries”
This book is divided into two parts. The first, as Sébastien Houillier explains, is a hunt for Goublins. “For years I have been going out at night to observe foxes, owls and sometimes even, at the bend of a thicket or a path, Goublins. »
This hunt is accompanied by legends about fairies, notably the Miss de Tonneville, approached from a naturalist angle. “There are three types of fairies in the Hague: little fairies, fairies and white ladies. They all have an anthropomorphic appearance. They move mainly by flying, but only the little fairies have wings. »
The second part of the book brings together other “diries” (legends or tales in patois), including the legend of Varou du Val-Ferrand, with his beast which emerges at night, that of Colombe, which strangely recalls another famous Virgin from Domrémy, or the story of Equinandra and Clodimir, entwined in a last embrace in Jardeheu, in Digulleville. Added to this are other legends between dream and reality, such as the myth of invasion by the sea.
“For me, this book is a small contribution to the timeless history of the Hague. It deals with what we can call the supernatural, while keeping its feet on the ground. »
An invitation to explore the places mentioned in these stories of yesteryear
A few years ago, he hosted conferences on archeologyhistory and anthropology of the peninsula.
I realized that people no longer know the legends of the Hague. This saddens me a little, because this intangible heritage is as much a part of the history of La Hague as its landscape heritage, with the Pierres-Pouquelées or the dunes of Biville.
In the Hague, the legends are numerous.
They constitute real treasures to discover and read, but they also invite you to explore the places mentioned in these stories of yesteryeartransmitted during vigils by the fire. “I’ve been working on legends for a very long time. When I was very young, my mother was already telling me about it, and other people too. »
Several sources
One thing led to another, thanks to readings and research in the Norman collections of the Cherbourg library, at the Tourp media library and elsewhere, as well as consultation of works of Norman writers of the 19th centurye century and observations in the field, the idea of publishing emerged.
The trigger was a trip to Iceland and Irelandwhere the inhabitants know how to preserve and enhance their legends.
I tried to find the original texts. My main sources are Jean Fleury, professor and writer born in Vasteville and buried in Gréville; Amélie Bosquet, who worked on Norman legends; Paul Sébillot, ethnologist and national writer; as well as Pierre Lefillastre, author of an article on the superstitions and legends of Cotentin in 1832.
The originality of this work lies in showing that the Goublin really exists and that it is an integral part of the heritage of the Hague.
“The idea is to preserve the mystery and his multiple extraordinary characters. »
From our correspondent Phillipe QUEVASTRE
“La chasse aux Goublins” is available at the Super U in Beaumont-Hague and at the Cave de la Cannerie in Beaumont-Hague as well as at the Angélus bar in Gréville-Hague.
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