Now, Krampus is not the only sinister holiday figure celebrated. There are many similar figures that evloved from those same pre-christian customs.
Perchten
Another group of
figures from pre-christian Austrian and Bavarian folklore is the Perchten. The custom surrounding them has the same look
and feel as Krampus in the sense of costume but these wild spirits are
concerned with driving out the evil spirits of winter not the morality of
children. The Perchten are primarily
associated with mid-winter and the embodiment of fate and the souls of the
dead. Traditionally, the Perchten runs
are held around Jan 6th. Over
the years though, the Perchten and Krampus have combined and are increasing being celebrated in one event.
Perchten Awakening on Otscher
Knecht Ruprecht
He is St. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. His name means servant. Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes.
He is St. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. His name means servant. Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes.
Knecht Ruprecht
Zwarte
Piet
Also known as Black Peter, was established in the Netherlands as the Sinterklaas helper in the 1845 book Sinterklaas en Zijn Knecht. He rides over the rooftops with Sinterklaas, listens down chimneys to check children's behavior, and delivers gifts. The Piets are popular and the Dutch see them as more fun-loving and mischievous than the more stately bishop. Piets are also found in Belgium.
Also known as Black Peter, was established in the Netherlands as the Sinterklaas helper in the 1845 book Sinterklaas en Zijn Knecht. He rides over the rooftops with Sinterklaas, listens down chimneys to check children's behavior, and delivers gifts. The Piets are popular and the Dutch see them as more fun-loving and mischievous than the more stately bishop. Piets are also found in Belgium.
Sinterklaas with Piets
Père Fouettard
The French combine Saint Nicholas and their own legend of P’ere Fouttard. He is found in France and Luxembourg, where he's known as Housécker. He is the evil butcher who was forever condemned to follow St. Nicolas as a punishment for luring the little lost children into his shop. He is tasked with punishing naughty children by whipping them.
The French combine Saint Nicholas and their own legend of P’ere Fouttard. He is found in France and Luxembourg, where he's known as Housécker. He is the evil butcher who was forever condemned to follow St. Nicolas as a punishment for luring the little lost children into his shop. He is tasked with punishing naughty children by whipping them.
Le Pere Fouettard
Schmutzli
This incarnation is nearly all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children were told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods.
This incarnation is nearly all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children were told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods.
Schmutzli and St. Nicholas
My personal favorite is still the Krampus.
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