Episode 5: Small, Everyday Fae: Brownies

The folklore of brownies in a nutshell, how I reimagined them for my writing, and the faery translated into Afrikaans.

Written and narrated by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

Copyright 2021 Ronel Janse van Vuuren — All rights reserved.

Learn more about brownies here.

Get the transcript here.

Music: Secrets by David Fesliyan (FesliyanStudios.com) and Dramatic Heartbeat by FesliyanStudios.com

Transcript

You’re listening to the Faeries and Folklore podcast by Ronel.

I’m dark fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren. With nearly a decade of digging around in dusty folklore books, researching creatures of imagination that ignited my curiosity, I’m here to share the folklore in a nutshell and how I reimagined it for my writing in an origin of the fae.

This is the Faeries and Folklore podcast.

Hi, I’m your host Ronel Janse van Vuuren. You can just call me Ronel. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

We’re continuing our exploration of small every day fae.

Today’s faery: brownies

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

Who wouldn’t want someone around to finish their work in the darkness of night? Mm, perhaps I’m the only one who would want some extra help around the house…

Brownies are small, helpful fae who live in the house and carry out useful household tasks left undone at night like churning butter, polishing furniture or doing the laundry. They originally came from Scotland and northern England, but can be found under various names across the world. Brownies are usually clothed in rags or are stark naked and will leave your home if you dare offer them clothes. They can bond with either a person, an animal or the property itself and will be offended by any who treats it badly. Brownies like honey and cream – so leave some on your kitchen counter for it to find as a treat and not as payment. They are easily angered and then turn into Boggarts: destructive versions of themselves who delight in breaking things.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an

Origin of the Fae: Brownies

Brownies are the servants of the High Fae (from any Court).

They’re androgynous. They’re the size of a two litre soft drink bottle. Brownies wear whatever their masters require them to – whether it be the fashion of the time or servant garb from medieval times. They’re obsessed with technology and like the kitchens they work in to be stocked with the best and newest gadgets. They’re excellent cooks. Brownies are tireless helpers to those they deem worthy. They’re obsessed with cleaning and cleanliness. They don’t like it when others try to do their duties.

As a little bonus, let’s look at the translation of Brownies into Afrikaans:  Huiskabouters. This is of my own making.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this episode of the faeries and folklore podcast and that you’ve learned something new about faeries.

Remember that you can get a transcript of this episode in the description. If you’re new to the podcast, why not go and grab your free copy of Unseen, the second book in the Faery Tales series, on my website ronelthemythmaker.com? Loads of folklore, magic and danger await! Take care!

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