Each December, blogs all over the world seem to hone in on the very same subject. Krampus. This year, I've decided to join the fun.
So what's Krampus, you ask? Krampus is a hideous demon-like creature that originated in the deep, dark, desolate forests of Northern Europe. He's said to accompany St. Nicholas on the jolly man's gift-giving journeys (shown above). But while St. Nick hands out presents to good little children, Krampus gives bad kids a good kick in the pants (or much, much worse).
According to Wikipedia:
Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly in the evening of December 5, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas the tradition also includes birching by Krampus, especially of young females.
Sounds like fun, right? (I never have to worry since I'm always very, very good.) It's hard to understand the allure . . . until you see a Krampus costume or two. A selection can be viewed here. Enjoy! (Actually, I find the old postcards a lot creepier.)
28 comments:
In Germany his name is Knecht Ruprecht. In German we watched videos (because Saint Nikolaus tag was Sunday) and the Knecht Ruprecht's had cowbells on their butts and tried to kidnap children. It was scary...
Cool! I am the first to post! I've never heard of Krampus before. I know soooooooo many people who deserve a visit from Krampus.
sounds cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow I never knew of this before. It's certainly a new and interesting tidbit about the holiday to share with my family.
Portraying Saints as working with demon companions has always seemed a bit messed up to me.
And if some guy in a demon costume tried to birch me, I would call the police.
I read about this.... at somepoint..... i read to much so i can't tell u where..... my little brother was so bad one year that "santa" left a note saying that if he was this bad again he wouldn't get any presents....... it was really funny.... all he wanted that year was cookies and candy
wow wouldn't want to see THAT in a dark alley!
In Slovakia, Kris Kringle is called St. Mikulas (Mee koo lash), which sounds sort of like Nicholas. His day is also Dec. 5th. Kids put out their shoes at night and in the morning they get candy and fruit in them. It's also called Angels and Devils day. At the entrance of our school, students dress up as the angels and devils. Then they try to get this black makeup on everybody's faces as they come. We try to avoid it. Your picture looked very much like St. Mikulas.
"Gruss vom Krampus u Nikolo" from the postcard means "Greetings from Krampo a [as in the abbreviation of and] Nikolo [as in, I suppose, Saint Nicholas]." Creepy!
Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly in the evening of December 5...
Emphasis added; but I think that would be because on the night of December 5, there's a tradition of children setting their shoes out and in the morning, there is candy in them (from their parents, quote-un-quote from Saint Nicholas--his feast is the sixth). It is a tradition that is mostly German, though Saint Nicholas was from what is now Turkey. The custom is from when Saint Nicholas helped a man who didn't have enough money for his daughters' dowries, so he was going to sell them into slavery, but Saint Nicholas threw bags of money into his house--once down the chimney, and according to legend, the bag landed in shoe. (Here you can see Santa Claus evolving. I am not sure how much of the story is true, and how much is false, but Saint Nicholas was definitely real.)
Nellie: You and your sister never cease to astonish me.
I live in MD, and in the book Weird Maryland it says there are ACTUAL sightings of the real 'Anti-Santa' in Maryland... Hmmm.... "you better watch out, honey!" 'Mommy, I'm a good ki- what's that mommy? Mommy? AAAAAAAAAAAA! *Muahahahahaa*
i dont really know sometimes....
wish me luck on my presidential campaign coming up!
Sounds kind of gruesome if you ask me. Saint Nicholas should step in!!
That is really interesting, Nellie. some girl in my class told me Santa was invented by Coca cola. Well at least "the big red jolly guy". I don't know how much of that is true, though.
Good luck Anna!! (I ran for student council president at lost to someone who didn't even write there own speech. I don't know what the world is coming to now)
but SNOW DAY TODAY!!!
wow iv never heard of theat before it kinda creeeps me out though...
Hey Nellie! the priest @ my cousin's church in Con, ( i don't live there but was visiting) gave his sermon on St. Nicholas and the story and all.... It was cool! i think he mentioned the Krampus thing too...
I wonder that if i don't like someone much, perhaps I could leave them with a "Krampus will sort you out." Muwahahaha.
Kay... that is KREEPY! I've never heatd of a Krampus before. I don't really like the whole idea of it. First off, it's name. It just sounds weird, Kramp-us. And the idea of a Damon thingamabob coming in with Santa is just plain wrong.
~ I can just imagine it.
Santa- Okay, lets fill the stockings. Toys in this one, toys in this one, toys in this one, coal in thi-
Krampus- RAWR!!!!!!!!! (storms off to kick little Tommy)
Santa- Wait! Thats the parents roo- (Hear the screaming of mother, and gunfire from dad. Then all the kids start crying) - Oh, dear. Not again.
Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho! (More gunfire... police sirens wail in the distance)
XD I'll try that someday~~
i prefer coal. ;)
Yikes....in Austria they have these huge Krampus-parades where they run around hitting people (and usually they're drunk). It's really not that cool....
And trust me, they don't care at all whether you've been good or not lol....^^
kiwi- it's time for you to join my club. :)
The costume looks like something from Narnia gone wrong. Creepy stuff! I love it! Gnat: Me too. You get coal in your stocking and it's BBQ cookout time!
Anna- Oooo. What club??
=))
The Pennsylvania Dutch have their own version--Beschnickel. He throws candy on the ground. The kids bend over to pick it up. And he whips them.
poor young ladies.....
Even the Krampus is a sexist!
I just cant imagine Santa walking around with that.... THING! I wonder what the krampus would do if Santa was a bad boy... lol ;)
I think I like the Krampus. Do you think Santa would let me hire him? I know a few people who should get kicked by a demon on Christmas.
Anna- Those books are really interesting! I've got one called Weird Missouri.
Eeeek! Why, oh why...people should be more careful when they make up monsters...
Kiwi: Haha! Hilarious! You should try writing scripts or something, that is spectacular!
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