Tradition: Dutch Mythology
Alternative Names: Boesjappert
Category: Goblin
The Myth
The Boezehappert, also known as the Boesjappert, is a frightening supernatural creature from the folklore of Friesland and Groningen in the northern Netherlands. In Friesland, it is described as a female necker, or water spirit, that lurks in deep lakes and ditches. It is said to drag children underwater when they play too close to the water’s edge, capturing and devouring them. The creature served as a terrifying warning to children to stay away from dangerous waters, return home when darkness fell, and never linger beside lakes or ditches after sunset.
A poem describes the Boezehappert as an enormous creature measuring four ells in length, with glowing green eyes, large, sharp teeth, horns, scales, and sharp claws. Its monstrous appearance reinforces its role as a predator lurking beneath the water, waiting for unwary children to approach.
In Groningen, the Boezehappert is associated instead with the spirit of a rye field. Despite this difference, it also served as a bogeyman used to frighten children into behaving properly. The creature’s regional variations reflect how local folklore used supernatural threats to warn children of dangers in their surroundings, whether the deep waters of Friesland or the fields of Groningen.
Sources
Van der Veen, Abe. “Van aardmannetje tot zwarte juffer: Een lijst van Nederlandse en Vlaamse elfen en geesten.” Abe de Verteller. https://abedeverteller.nl/van-aardmannetje-tot-zwarte-juffer-een-lijst-van-nederlandse-en-vlaamse-elfen-en-geesten/