Fängge

What it is

The Fängge is a figure from the folklore of the German-speaking Alpine regions, including Bavaria, Tyrol, and parts of Switzerland. It appears in two main forms: a terrifying, tree-height giantess covered in hair and lichen, or a smaller, bearded dwarf known as a Fankerl or Waldfänken. These beings are considered the female counterparts to male forest giants. They are deeply connected to the natural world, specifically old trees, and are viewed as dangerous entities that lurk in the deep woods.

Where it comes from

The concept of the Fängge likely evolved from older pagan beliefs about nature spirits, which were later demonized by Christian influences. The term Fankerl is linked to words for devil in Bavarian and Austrian dialects, suggesting a shift from sacred nature entity to malevolent spirit. Some scholars note parallels with Nordic and Bohemian folklore, where similar creatures were associated with natural phenomena like whirlwinds or forest dangers.

Tools and materials

The giantess form wears jackets made of tree bark and skirts of wildcat or fox pelts. Her hair is black and often mixed with beard lichen, blending her appearance with the forest environment. The dwarf forms are described as having flashy red eyes and beards. Their physical presence is tied to specific trees; if a tree falls, its corresponding Fängge dies.

What it is for

These spirits are primarily feared for their harm to humans. They are said to abduct children, eat them, or replace unbaptized newborns with changelings. Conversely, they act as protectors of chamois herds. Hunters who kill chamois risk the wrath of the Fängge, who view the animals as their own livestock. This duality marks them as guardians of the wild balance.

Peoples and places

In Tyrol and the Bavarian Alps, the Fängge is a fearsome giantess. In Switzerland, particularly in Grisons, the Waldfänken are smaller dwarfs, sometimes milder but still powerful. In Austria, variants like Fankel or Fengge are seen as less sinister wild folk. The names vary by village, with specific spirits named after trees, such as Stutzamutza or Rohrinde, indicating a localized belief system where each tree has its own guardian.

What people believe

The Fängge represents the untamed power of the forest. As a personification of trees, they die when their host tree is cut down. They reject Christianity and return to the woods upon hearing of a kin’s death. Their ability to switch between giant and dwarf forms may reflect how oral traditions shrink monstrous figures over time. Their connection to nature is absolute, making them symbols of ecological interdependence.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers like Alfred Bäschlin and Wilhelm Mannhardt have analyzed these tales. Bäschlin noted the linguistic link between Fänger and devil, suggesting a secondary meaning shift. Mannhardt compared the Fängge’s methods to Bohemian folklore of 'Death-Tickle,' attributing such legends to natural hazards like whirlwinds causing injury in forests.

Compare and confuse

The Fängge is related to the Basque Basajaun and Basandere, who also fear church bells and are outwitted by humans using false names. Like the Arthurian wild women with drooping breasts, the Fängge shares traits with other European forest spirits that blur the line between human and animal, nature and monster.

Questions people ask about Fängge

Good reading and sources

• Fänggen on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data