The particularity of lou Drapé is that it only attacks vagabond children, which makes it, as Collin de Plancy notices, a symbol of the prevention of mothers’ negligence.
Its relationship to the croque-mitaine and the ogre (with which it shares the role of “terror of children”) has been discussed, notably by anthropologist Nicole Belmont.
Furthermore, lou Drapé is specific to the folklore of the town of Aigues-Mortes, where “into marshes flows the terrible Vidourle”, known for its devastating floods.
For Jacques de Biez, it could have symbolised the courage of the horse when it comes to work, for it “does not care about the work charge.
It does its duty.”
The particularity of lou Drapé is that it only attacks vagabond children, which makes it, as Collin de Plancy notices, a symbol of the prevention of mothers’ negligence. Its relationship to the croque-mitaine and the ogre (with which it shares the role of “terror of children”) has been discussed, notably by anthropologist Nicole Belmont. Furthermore, lou Drapé is specific to the folklore of the town of Aigues-Mortes, where “into marshes flows the terrible Vidourle”, known for its devastating floods. For Jacques de Biez, it could have symbolised the courage of the horse when it comes to work, for it “does not care about the work charge. It does its duty.”
Drapé (legend)