Comments on: Krampus: Santa's evil sidekick http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Alan Smithee http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977691 Alan Smithee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977691 For me (Hungarian person, grew up behind the atheist iron curtain, where Christmas was officially celebrated in schools as Fenyőünnep (Christmas Tree Celebration)) the difference between Santa Claus (Télapó, coming on 24th of December) and Mikulás (Szent Miklós, coming on 6th of December) wasn't clear ever. Neither their sidekicks (angels, Krampusz). But on 6th of December we usually (both good and bad children) got a virgács (willow switch) too, not only candies. Probably to remind us to the smaller, forgotten bad things we did. More details about this (probably only Czech, Slovakian, Polish and Hungarian fork) are available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikul%C3%A1s According to this, Krampus is a "sinister elf". He was described to us as a small person covered in coal. For me (Hungarian person, grew up behind the atheist iron curtain, where Christmas was officially celebrated in schools as Fenyőünnep (Christmas Tree Celebration)) the difference between Santa Claus (Télapó, coming on 24th of December) and Mikulás (Szent Miklós, coming on 6th of December) wasn’t clear ever. Neither their sidekicks (angels, Krampusz). But on 6th of December we usually (both good and bad children) got a virgács (willow switch) too, not only candies. Probably to remind us to the smaller, forgotten bad things we did.

More details about this (probably only Czech, Slovakian, Polish and Hungarian fork) are available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikul%C3%A1s According to this, Krampus is a “sinister elf”. He was described to us as a small person covered in coal.

]]> By: LadyI http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976929 LadyI Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976929 In NYC we celebrate Cramp-us 2x a year (the tradition Xmess time and reformed Xmess in July) in honor of Lux Interior and general devilry: http://www.examiner.com/burlesque-in-new-york/krampus-with-the-lady-aye In NYC we celebrate Cramp-us 2x a year (the tradition Xmess time and reformed Xmess in July) in honor of Lux Interior and general devilry:

http://www.examiner.com/burlesque-in-new-york/krampus-with-the-lady-aye

]]> By: Phikus http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976931 Phikus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976931 Ok, so we've got some sort of <i>good cop - bad cop</i> thing going on for Christmas coercion? Sleep well, kiddies. Ok, so we’ve got some sort of good cop – bad cop thing going on for Christmas coercion? Sleep well, kiddies.

]]> By: bombjack http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976952 bombjack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976952 As I was a child (1979) with eleven years in my Bavarian hometown we (children) meet before 7:00 pm at the place before our big church. The young people changed to the Krampus (or Habergoaß) at the sacristy and at 7:00 pm they where released and try to catch and hit us because we try to wind them up and sneer at them. It was very very rough, because the got a good stiff wicker or even a wooden stick and when they got very angry the hit with that stuff to the legs or arms. Sometimes they try to made a trap and ambush children e.g. in a alley that nobody can escape.... For us children it was a big thrill and sometimes somebody get hurt (I remember that I heard from two broken rips, because one of this guys slammed somebody with something harder)....but it was one of the nights where we where allowed to stay outside until 9:30 to 10:00 pm. bombjack As I was a child (1979) with eleven years in my Bavarian hometown we (children) meet before 7:00 pm at the place before our big church. The young people changed to the Krampus (or Habergoaß) at the sacristy and at 7:00 pm they where released and try to catch and hit us because we try to wind them up and sneer at them. It was very very rough, because the got a good stiff wicker or even a wooden stick and when they got very angry the hit with that stuff to the legs or arms.
Sometimes they try to made a trap and ambush children e.g. in a alley that nobody can escape….

For us children it was a big thrill and sometimes somebody get hurt (I remember that I heard from two broken rips, because one of this guys slammed somebody with something harder)….but it was one of the nights where we where allowed to stay outside until 9:30 to 10:00 pm.

bombjack

]]> By: benher http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976709 benher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976709 Anti-santi? I always thought he was one o' Santa's pals! Anti-santi? I always thought he was one o’ Santa’s pals!

]]> By: hassenpfeffer http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976714 hassenpfeffer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976714 <Buffy> Oh what fun it is to ride and sing A slaying song tonight... </Buffy> <Buffy>
Oh what fun it is to ride and sing
A slaying song tonight…
</Buffy>

]]> By: efergus3 http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976717 efergus3 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976717 I think that I was married to his twin sister for a while. I think that I was married to his twin sister for a while.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977490 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977490 I am from Bavaria where parts of these rites are still alive or re-made. Traditional masks were wood-carved, but nowadays airbrush-finished zombie heads are "in", and the pagan background has made way for drinking opportunities. Just compare the two masks in this post: http://markus-spring.info/wp/2010/11/harry-potter-for-sale/ The first mask is traditional (in spite of the name), whereas the second is that modern zombie style. I am from Bavaria where parts of these rites are still alive or re-made. Traditional masks were wood-carved, but nowadays airbrush-finished zombie heads are “in”, and the pagan background has made way for drinking opportunities. Just compare the two masks in this post:

http://markus-spring.info/wp/2010/11/harry-potter-for-sale/

The first mask is traditional (in spite of the name), whereas the second is that modern zombie style.

]]> By: Phikus http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977237 Phikus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977237 And I thought Krampus was the one who brought menstrual pain... Either that or universities with small classrooms. Maybe these are his day jobs, since he doesn't have a lot to do for the rest of the year? And I thought Krampus was the one who brought menstrual pain… Either that or universities with small classrooms. Maybe these are his day jobs, since he doesn’t have a lot to do for the rest of the year?

]]> By: The Mudshark http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-978521 The Mudshark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-978521 In the countryside over here parents can hire these guys to come into their homes and terrify the shit out of their crying offspring, with St. Nicholas stepping in later to console the traumatized children. It´s nothing if not an effective indoctrination system for the ever charming catholic church. In the countryside over here parents can hire these guys to come into their homes and terrify the shit out of their crying offspring, with St. Nicholas stepping in later to console the traumatized children. It´s nothing if not an effective indoctrination system for the ever charming catholic church.

]]> By: Saint Fnordius http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976733 Saint Fnordius Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976733 Just remember, the Krampus (or Gramppus as he is also spelled) accompanied Saint Nicholas, and the pictures of Saint Nick showed him as a thin, white-bearded guy with a bishop's mitre. You can see these masks and costumes at the end of winter as well in some Swiss communities, as they are symbolically driven out, in the hopes that they will take the winter with them and let spring arrive. Just remember, the Krampus (or Gramppus as he is also spelled) accompanied Saint Nicholas, and the pictures of Saint Nick showed him as a thin, white-bearded guy with a bishop’s mitre.

You can see these masks and costumes at the end of winter as well in some Swiss communities, as they are symbolically driven out, in the hopes that they will take the winter with them and let spring arrive.

]]> By: sunhawk http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976991 sunhawk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976991 My friend Miss Monster has done some really cool art of Krampus in the past, you should check out this year's Krampus - bad ass! :) http://missmonster.bigcartel.com/product/krampus-sticker-4-x-4-vinyl My friend Miss Monster has done some really cool art of Krampus in the past, you should check out this year’s Krampus – bad ass! :)

http://missmonster.bigcartel.com/product/krampus-sticker-4-x-4-vinyl

]]> By: schnaars http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977762 schnaars Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977762 I torment my kids with Krampus. He adjusts behavior much better than Santa. http://www.flickr.com/photos/schnaars/4256838494/ I torment my kids with Krampus. He adjusts behavior much better than Santa.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schnaars/4256838494/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976999 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976999 While it was never part of our Holiday tradition growing up, I have always thought The Krampus rocked. St. Nick having two assistants was neat: the sooty Black Pete, who carried the toy bag, and the monstrous Krampus, the scary Wild Thing that acted like an enforcer. There are some great vids out there of Krampus in action, and in it is adorable to watch little children who know that they have been good (hence, nothing to fear from The Krampus) walk straight up to these monsters to say hi in the midst of the growls, howling, and swinging of chains and broken branches. While it was never part of our Holiday tradition growing up, I have always thought The Krampus rocked. St. Nick having two assistants was neat: the sooty Black Pete, who carried the toy bag, and the monstrous Krampus, the scary Wild Thing that acted like an enforcer.

There are some great vids out there of Krampus in action, and in it is adorable to watch little children who know that they have been good (hence, nothing to fear from The Krampus) walk straight up to these monsters to say hi in the midst of the growls, howling, and swinging of chains and broken branches.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976754 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976754 I have bad childhood memories of a Krampus chasing me and beating me with a wet cow tail in my hometown Salzburg, Austria. Ouch. Must have been in the beginning/middle of the 1980ies. They also have huge cow bells tied around their waist, and the sound alone scared me. But things are under control nowadays, with police present at the traditional "Krampus runs" and so on. Also the old masks are in fact fascinating, as well as the old legends and the different characters. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta I have bad childhood memories of a Krampus chasing me and beating me with a wet cow tail in my hometown Salzburg, Austria. Ouch. Must have been in the beginning/middle of the 1980ies. They also have huge cow bells tied around their waist, and the sound alone scared me. But things are under control nowadays, with police present at the traditional “Krampus runs” and so on. Also the old masks are in fact fascinating, as well as the old legends and the different characters. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta

]]> By: mark.leaman http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976765 mark.leaman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976765 Punishing the wicked makes one evil? Punishing the wicked makes one evil?

]]> By: MrsBug http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976772 MrsBug Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976772 :hipster: Yeah, I saw Krampus up in Maine before they even got signed. They were wicked awesome, but now they've sold out to Claus Records and they suck. :hipster: Yeah, I saw Krampus up in Maine before they even got signed. They were wicked awesome, but now they’ve sold out to Claus Records and they suck.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976773 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976773 You married Flo Krampus? What a coincidence. Auntie visits our house once a month. You married Flo Krampus? What a coincidence. Auntie visits our house once a month.

]]> By: TimDrew http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976776 TimDrew Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976776 Didn't he play bass for Lordi? Didn’t he play bass for Lordi?

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-979606 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-979606 Those Krampus pics remind me of Tim Curry's devil character from <i>Legend</i>. Beating bad children with a wet cow tail? I'd pay cash money to get to do that. Those Krampus pics remind me of Tim Curry’s devil character from Legend. Beating bad children with a wet cow tail? I’d pay cash money to get to do that.

]]> By: Rayfool http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976793 Rayfool Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976793 In Belgium you are beaten by a large black man (or a white guy in black face) named Zwarte Piet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet In Belgium you are beaten by a large black man (or a white guy in black face) named Zwarte Piet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet

]]> By: ArtF http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976794 ArtF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976794 Check out Yer Uncle Ghastly's Krampus paper toy! http://uncleghastly.blogspot.com/2010/11/he-knows-if-youve-been-naughty-krampus.html Check out Yer Uncle Ghastly’s Krampus paper toy!

http://uncleghastly.blogspot.com/2010/11/he-knows-if-youve-been-naughty-krampus.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976795 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976795 How exquisitely German... How exquisitely German…

]]> By: mcv http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976808 mcv Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976808 Not just in Belgium; also in Netherland, which is where the American Santa Claus got his name from. Only Dutch Sinterklaas is not celebrated at Christmas, but on 5 December. I wonder when this Kramppus + St. Nicholas was celebrated in the Alps. Is it really Christmas? Or is it 5 December? I think the latter. I've always understood that it was Dutch Americans who displaced St. Nick from his own day to Christmas. Not just in Belgium; also in Netherland, which is where the American Santa Claus got his name from. Only Dutch Sinterklaas is not celebrated at Christmas, but on 5 December.

I wonder when this Kramppus + St. Nicholas was celebrated in the Alps. Is it really Christmas? Or is it 5 December? I think the latter. I’ve always understood that it was Dutch Americans who displaced St. Nick from his own day to Christmas.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977064 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977064 Krampus in The Venture Brothers Christmas episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HDw6lQeIoA Krampus in The Venture Brothers Christmas episode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HDw6lQeIoA

]]> By: nonplus http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976828 nonplus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976828 You're a couple of weeks late. The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6 and the saint, along with his regional side-kicks (it's an unnamed devil and angel in the Czech Republic), roams the streets on the eve before the feast. This is true for the Alpine countries, too. In the germanic part of Switzerland, it's Knecht Ruprecht that accompanies St. Nicholas. Also at the beginning of December. So, please don't equate the American Santa with the rich St. Nicholas traditions in the rest of the world. The US Santa is a cultural export that homogenizes native regional winter holiday celebrations - which IMO kind of sucks. You’re a couple of weeks late. The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6 and the saint, along with his regional side-kicks (it’s an unnamed devil and angel in the Czech Republic), roams the streets on the eve before the feast.

This is true for the Alpine countries, too. In the germanic part of Switzerland, it’s Knecht Ruprecht that accompanies St. Nicholas. Also at the beginning of December.

So, please don’t equate the American Santa with the rich St. Nicholas traditions in the rest of the world. The US Santa is a cultural export that homogenizes native regional winter holiday celebrations – which IMO kind of sucks.

]]> By: Blazel http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-977345 Blazel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-977345 Nothing says Christmas more than horrifying monsters. Nothing says Christmas more than horrifying monsters.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976853 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976853 I don't remember asking your country to participate, and I like our American Santa, so :-P I don’t remember asking your country to participate, and I like our American Santa, so :-P

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976879 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976879 Just found out about this guy from Happle Tea the other day. Check out the comic at www.happletea.com . I found it entirely relevant. Just found out about this guy from Happle Tea the other day. Check out the comic at http://www.happletea.com . I found it entirely relevant.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/12/23/krampus-santas-evil.html#comment-976882 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-976882 Santa =/= Nikolaus "In the germanic part of Switzerland, it's Knecht Ruprecht that accompanies St. Nicholas. Also at the beginning of December." I'm from North-Rhine Westfalia (Germany) specifically the Ruhr-Area and here the "sidekick" of St. Nikolaus is called Knecht Ruprecht too. Nikolaus-Day is 6th December. Santa =/= Nikolaus

“In the germanic part of Switzerland, it’s Knecht Ruprecht that accompanies St. Nicholas. Also at the beginning of December.”

I’m from North-Rhine Westfalia (Germany) specifically the Ruhr-Area and here the “sidekick” of St. Nikolaus is called Knecht Ruprecht too. Nikolaus-Day is 6th December.

]]>