Dongjum (Frisian: Doanjum) is a village in Franekeradeel, Fryslân.
Dongjum has 500 inhabitants. The village originated by the construction
of a dike north of the city of Franeker in Roman times. In the Middle Ages
a church was built in Dongjum devoted to Mary, mother of Jesus. With that
the settlement got village rights. St. Mary's Day, 13 May (according to
the new calendar 23 May), has been the market-day. South of the village
was the fortified stately house (stins) of the Goslinga's. Sicco van Goslinga
(1664-1731) was an eminent member of this family. He was 40 years a member
of the States General and ambassador in France. He rests in a tomb in the
Doanjumer church. He said once (or twice): "Mei Fryske trou en Hollanske
dukaten kin men fier komme." (With Frisian fidelity and Holland ducates
one can go far). The stins was for a long time recognizable for the wide
ditches which surrounded it. In the last years of the 20th century the
ditches were filled up, for the construction of the E10 motorroad swallowed
it. In the last part of the 19th century the contrasts between the farmers
and laborers came to a head. Dongjum was for a long time dominated by this
contrast, and got the nickname "read Doanjum"- red Dongjum. On the
last Sunday in May the Dongjumer market is held every year. This is a quiet
period on the farms. On Market Day an important game of "keatsen"
organized by the Keninklike Nederlânske Keatsbûn is
being held - an event the village is very proud of. In the last decennia
people have settled in Dongjum, who work in Franeker or other big settlements.
The old contrasts have disappeared, for together it's more fun to create
a living village!
coat of arms: per bend sinister a. in red three silver fleur-de-lis; b. in silver
three red roses, buttoned gold and barbed green.
Flag: diagonally divided red and white; in red a white lily of 2/3
flag height and in white a red rose of 6/10 flag height.
The division of the coat of armsis derived from the coat of arms of the Royal Dutch Keatsbûn. Instead of the three silver and the three red keatsballs
fleurs-de-lis and roses have been adopted. The fleurs-de-lis have been
taken from the arms of the Goslinga's (where they were gold on blue). It
is an old symbol, connected with the Virgin Mary. It can also be seen as
a representation of the notables in Dongjum and surroundings.
The roses were derived from the old coat of arms of Franekeradeel. They symbolize
the fertility of the land. In the courtyards grew wild roses. They are
symbols of love. In the last century it also became the symbol of Socialism,
the political conviction of a lot of Doanjumers. By the green small petals
the colors red - green represent the Doanjumer keatsers.
Design: J.R. van der Wal and R.J. Broersma, members of the Fryske Rie
foar Heraldyk.
Source: the Doanjumer website.
Genealogysk Jierboekje 2002.
Jarig Bakker, 24 Aug 2003
![[Dongjum villageflag]](../images/n/nl-fr_dj.gif)
image
by Jarig Bakker, 24 Aug 2003
![[Dongjum Coat of Arms]](../images/n/nl-fr)dj.jpg)
from the Doanjumer website.
