In Central European folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure described as “half-goat, half-demon”, who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved.
This contrasts with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Krampus is one of the companions of Saint Nicholas in several regions including Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Hungary, Northern Italy including South Tyrol and the Trentino, and Slovenia.
The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated it as having pre-Christian origins.
In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf, young men dressed as Krampus participate. Such events occur annually in most Alpine towns. Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten.
Instead of giving presents to good kids, Krampus snatches the bad ones. While Krampus festivals have been celebrated for generations in the Tyrol region of Austria, they are becoming increasingly popular in the Czech Republic.
A Krampus festival in Austria got out of hand earlier this year when at least one of the actors began beating people with the sticks. Five teens sustained injuries. It is a tradition strongly associated with the Alpine regions and the midwinter needs to drive out bad souls.
The traditional costumes are no joke – suits are handwoven from corn leaves, collected from Northern Italy in the late summer, then painstakingly sewn together to make the broad, rustling suits that the performers need to be strapped into.
These alone w
eigh up to 25kg. Although Krampus appears in many variations, most share some common physical characteristics. He is hairy, usually brown or black, and has the cloven hooves and horns of a goat. His long, pointed tongue lolls out, and he has fangs.
Krampus carrie
s chains, thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church. He thrashes the chains for dramatic effect. The chains are sometimes accompanied by bells of various sizes. Of more pagan origins are the Ruten, bundles of birch branches that Krampus carries and with which he occasionally swats children.
The Ruten may have had significance in pre-Christian pagan initiation rites. The birch branches are replaced with a whip in some representations. Sometimes Krampus appears with a sack or a basket strapped to his back; this is to cart off evil children for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell.
Some of the older versions make mention of naughty children being put in the bag and taken away. This quality can be found in other Companions of Saint Nicholas such as Zwarte Piet
The traditional hand-carved masks and headwear have horns to pierce the souls of devils and faces that will haunt your nightmares – they come in at a hefty 30kg each depending on size.
Strapped on top of the suit and headwear are metal drums and heavy bells, to make the most g
lorious and wild racket you can imagine.
All up the costumes can weigh in at 100kg – to be worn and carried while dancing and drumming in the village streets.
Once the sun sets, fires are lit in the center of town to the noise of bells, horns, and ground shaking stamps of the Perchten devils.
The performances last long into the night – smaller devils roam the crowd, attacking bystanders with coal covered hands, smearing black onto unsuspecting cheeks and stirring up mayhem and occasional shrieks.
A Krampus festival in Austria got out of hand earlier this year when at least one of the actors
began beating people with the sticks. Five teens sustained injuries.
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