There are no indigenous people in the Netherlands. However, the less linguistic and minorities are the Frisians who inhibit the Northern Province of Netherlands.
A brief history about the Frisians
The earliest record of indigenous Frisians inhabiting their land are from 700 BC. Up until at least the fifth century their tribal lands included the entire North Sea coast of Holland. In the eighth century they were annexed by the Frankish empire, and then won their independance again during the Middle Ages, spending the next 700 years as a unilingual and autonomous people. Then in 1579 Friesland was taken over by the United Dutch Republic, and Dutch language was introduced to replace Friesian.
A brief history about the Frisians
The earliest record of indigenous Frisians inhabiting their land are from 700 BC. Up until at least the fifth century their tribal lands included the entire North Sea coast of Holland. In the eighth century they were annexed by the Frankish empire, and then won their independance again during the Middle Ages, spending the next 700 years as a unilingual and autonomous people. Then in 1579 Friesland was taken over by the United Dutch Republic, and Dutch language was introduced to replace Friesian.
However, many Frisians fought to maintain and reestablish their aboriginal language, and in 1993 Frisian became a mandated subject in primary schools and secondary schools in Friesland. Today both Dutch and Frisian languages are used in the community.
Currently, there are 550 000 Frisians in Friesland. The Frisians value their independence as a unique ethnic group and Friesland is the only province of the Netherlands to retain its own language. The inhabitants of Friesland considers themselves to be Frisians in the first place and Netherlanders in the second place.
Currently, there are 550 000 Frisians in Friesland. The Frisians value their independence as a unique ethnic group and Friesland is the only province of the Netherlands to retain its own language. The inhabitants of Friesland considers themselves to be Frisians in the first place and Netherlanders in the second place.
The Frisian is primarily an agriculture province. Many Frisians living in inland areas work on small family farms, raising crops or dairy cattle. The dairy products, construction, and tourist industries are also important employers.
The Frisian minority does not have its “own” government structures. There are the regular provincial and local government structures that facilitate the Frisian language in the province of Friesland. There are, of course, several civil society organizations lobbying for more autonomy for the province, defending culture, tradition and customs, or promoting protection of heritage sites.
The traditional old-fashioned Frisian farm house consists of modest-sized living quarters. These are connected to a barn by a narrow section containing a kitchen, milk cellar, and butter-churning area. The living quarters are generally divided into an all-purpose family room and a formal parlor where visitors are received. Tile roofs have largely replaced the older thatched roofs.
Like other Dutch people, the Frisians wear modern Western-style clothing for both casual and formal occasions. One difference, however, is their preference for wooden shoes. They wear the modern variety, made of lightweight poplar (a kind of wood) and generally painted black with leather trim.
Websites used:
http://www.suite101.com/content/netherlands-indigenous-people-a10146
Like other Dutch people, the Frisians wear modern Western-style clothing for both casual and formal occasions. One difference, however, is their preference for wooden shoes. They wear the modern variety, made of lightweight poplar (a kind of wood) and generally painted black with leather trim.
Websites used:
http://www.suite101.com/content/netherlands-indigenous-people-a10146
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