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Koudum (The Netherlands)

Nijefurd municipality, Fryslân province

by Jarig Bakker, 13 Sep 2003
Design: Hans van Heijningen in Utert aka Otrek.

Koudum village
Koudum CoA

See also:

Koudum village

Koudum is the seat of the municipality of Nijefurd; it used to be the seat of the former municipality of Hemelumer Oldeferd, with (1958) 1887 inhabitants; (1974) 2268. The village was built on marshy peat-grounds and a lake made dry (Haanmeer). There is a "zeevaardershuis" (sailors' home); Here used to be the "stinsen" (fortified stately houses) of the Galama's, the Epema's, and the Donia's. Around the village are sandquarries, one of which is a narural reserve for sand-martins.
Nickname: "Beantsjes" (beans), "Siike ierdappels" (sick potatoes), "sânrapen" (sand turnips) - beans were often the only things eaten by the noble Koudumers. Their faces looked sometimes a touch unhealthy, hence the second name; and apparently later the sandrapes were added, to make an excellent Koudumer stew.
It is told that the wise men, who founded the village, met in the evening of a wintery day to discuss the name of the village. The hearth was filled with "turven" (peatblocks), which after some time became rather hot. The wise men said "Koud om" (cold around); a servant had to cover the hot turven with cold ones, which he did; after some time it became to hot again, so again they cried: "Koud om". This happened three times, by which time someone noti