Walen

Walen, in Dutch, refers to the Walloon people, the primarily French-speaking ethnic group native to the Walloon Region of Belgium. They form the majority of the population in Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium, and are one of the two main linguistic communities of the country; the other is the Flemish community, who speak Dutch. In daily usage, Walen are associated with the French language and Walloon regional identity, although many Walen are bilingual in French and one of Belgium’s regional languages such as Walloon, Picard, or Gaumais, and many speak standard French.

Geography and demographics: The traditional homeland of the Walen is Wallonia, which includes the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, Liège, Luxembourg, and part of Brabant wallon. The city of Brussels is officially bilingual but has a historic Flemish and Walloon presence; a significant portion of its population is French-speaking. The Walloon region has about several million inhabitants, forming a key component of Belgium’s population and political landscape.

History: The Walloon region has ancient roots, with Celtic and Roman influences. It became part of the Frankish realm, then Burgundian and Habsburg domains, and later formed part of the Belgian state at independence in 1830. The 19th and 20th centuries saw industrial growth, particularly in coal mining and steel, followed by deindustrialization. Language tensions between Walloon and Flemish communities have shaped Belgian politics, contributing to reforms that created separate regional and community governments in the late 20th century.

Culture and identity: Walloon culture is diverse, with contributions to Belgian literature, music, gastronomy, and beer. Notable regional traditions include folklore, architecture, and culinary specialties such as Liège waffles and other regional dishes.

See also: Wallonia, Belgium; Walloon language; Flemish Community; Belgian political system.