National landscape Northeast Twente
The modern name Twente probably derives from the Tuihanti or Tubanti, a Germanic tribe living in this region in the beginning of our era. Archeology shows that the region associated with the Tubanti, was inhabited more or less continuously since the last ice age. The many burial mounds in the region bear witness to the ancient presence of human beings. Geologically Twente is one of the most interesting areas of the Netherlands, as it has strata from various periods in a very small area. During the ice ages sand, gravel and loam were pushed forward by the ice to form ridges. After the ice ages the climate turned milder, and little by little the land got cultivated by the inhabitants. Because of the many wet areas in the area this was not an easy task. According to geologists, millions of years ago Twente was a shallow sea. The few dry places were used to settle and to grow crops such as rye and spelt. This gave rise to a diverse and small-scale landscape of towns, villages, agricultural land, wood walls, heath lands, and wet haylands.
Many traditions have been preserved in Twente such as blowing the midwinter horn (background sound clip) and the stoking of Eastern fires. The local dialect is called Twents, a dialect of Low German. Twents is spoken in all parts of Twente, but varies in each village.
Many traditions have been preserved in Twente such as blowing the midwinter horn (background sound clip) and the stoking of Eastern fires. The local dialect is called Twents, a dialect of Low German. Twents is spoken in all parts of Twente, but varies in each village.