Ankou a Legend from Brittany

A formidable character, steeped in the legends of many cultures, under different names, is known as Ankou in Brittany; and plays a strong part in its folklore.

This reaper of souls pervades; not only as a creature of fantasy into the Breton culture, but once represented more than just a figment of people’s imagination. He is even distinguished enough to appear amongst the effigy’s of saints in Ploumilliau (a village in North West Brittany) church; a tangible reminder of the strong beliefs of a bygone time. But with a host of other bogey-men to choose from why choose Ankou?

Anatole le Braz was a late nineteenth century early twentieth century collector and translator of Breton stories and songs. Not only do they provide cosy fireside reading but they also allow us to be privy to a way of life in Breton communities, burdened by strong superstitious influences.  

 

Ankou, like Thanatos, its Greek counterpart and the Grim Reaper in medieval Christian folklore, is usually the spirit of the last person to die in a community and becomes the harbinger of death. So ingrained is the character of Ankou in Breton culture even his origins have taken on a religious link; as in one fable relating him to Adam and Eve, Ankou being their first born.

Traditionally, the Ankou is portrayed as a tall male figure, emaciated or skeletal, in a wide brimmed hat with long flowing white hair. But there is another version of his appearance (even less appealing) and that is of a skeleton with a revolving head; not a creature one would like to meet on a dark night! And that is the very essence of the version of the story I came to hear first hand. 

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) there is a representation in wood of Ankou on display amongst those of saints in Ploumilliau village church.  A local historian enlightened me as to why this tale had been perpetuated for so long and, as is more often the case with ghost stories, there is a more earthly reason for the gruesome tale.

The coast around Brittany; dotted with many bays, estuaries and inlets was ideal for the smuggling of contraband goods. Carried inland by the plunderers it would be necessary to hide their hoard in villages far from the prying eyes of the customs officers. (Les douanes) The best way to keep the villagers inside their homes with their windows shuttered was to spread fear and what better way in a superstitious community than to propagate the tale of Ankou.

As time went on the stories of Ankou became more and more elaborate, introducing into the tales two spectral helpers; whose job was to toss the dead into his cart.  His cart or death-wagon, piled high with corpses is pulled sometimes by one but more often two horses; one sprightly but the other starved and poorly. The citizens of the villages were warned by the church hierarchy to beware if Ankou should rein in his horses at their door for it meant certain death for all within!

Therefore, when night fell all good villagers stayed inside their homes behind shuttered window and bolted doors biding the passing of the night.  While outside the smugglers scurried by unhindered; carrying their trunks and sacks of valuables often to be hidden within the churches.  Hence Ankou’s pride of place!