Marian in Budapest commented earlier today about this evil-twin sidekick of Santa in Hungary by name of Krampusz. This photo of the same goat-gent as seen in Austria was on the BBC website today with the following caption:
Krampus, a terrifying companion to St Nicholas, is seen in an age-old Austrian procession to mark the start of Advent.And I thought we Scots were stern! Marian explained a bit about the Hungarian version in this way:
In Hungary, there are two key Christmas figures: there is Mikulás (St. Nick) and Krampusz. St. Nick is a nice-ish tall thin guy who dresses in either red or white and gives out candies or presents. He also has a sidekick named Krampusz who punishes bad children by beating them or taking them away. It's interesting to see that Hungarians have not done away with badness completely as has been done in North America. Also, it's still possible to suggest in public that a bad child might get beaten (or taken away) which, as we know, is not possible in Canada.Wikipedia, that great source of speculation, has a page on the Companions of Saint Nicholas all of whom appear to pre-date eastern Alpine Christianity, be fans of 1980s heavy metal and are, frankly, big bastards of one sort or another.
OK. Here is my limit on multiculturalism: I don't want a Krampus or a Krampusz in my Yule. I have declared me a Krampus(z)-free-zone. Mike's Christmas links are better...and eggnog...and no bad evil goat-headed bear-bodied creatures.
Comments
Mike - December 6, 2005 11:30 PM
Thanks for the linkypoo. I watched some Rick Steeves on PBS the other night, and he was featuring Krampus or some Krampus-like dude. Perhaps the threat of Krampusian pain would be acceptable if it meant correspondingly greater prezzie love from the Jolly Old Elf.
Marian - December 7, 2005 4:31 AM
I would have thought there would be lots of other limits on multiculturalism before this. Beheading, stoning etc. come to mind...
Marian - December 7, 2005 4:35 AM
I'll send you a photo of a chocolate Krampusz.
Alan - December 7, 2005 6:56 AM
Evil goat men stealing children is pretty much up there for me. And I was not aware of beheading or stoning being part of any multicultural display I have attended but I gon't get out that much.
Marian - December 7, 2005 12:16 PM
I believe stoning is still practiced in Nigeria. Beheadings everywhere.
Yes well, the Hungarian tradition has its downside, but North American culture has its own flaws, as we know. For one thing, we keep airbrushing out the unpleasant details of various legends. So our culture tends to be a bit sterile, a bit Brave New Worldish. Personally, I like my fairy stories to have things like people who get eaten, or skinned, or taken away. It's just better that way. I also like Halloween full of ghost stories and nasty kids getting junk that is tasty and not that good for them. Anyway, to each his own. I've sent you a photo of the Krampusz I got for the kids. My son who is three just loves Krampusz and can't stop talking about him.
portland - December 7, 2005 4:52 PM
but what does he do with children he steals? i mean that's really the question isn't? maybe they go to mexico on a nice vacation. that's not so bad, is it?
Inge - December 5, 2006 8:14 AM
The picture does not show a Krampus! (A Krampus has a red face and black shorter hair) It is showing a "Percht". A Percht is a actual a femal and keeps away bad spirits and protects us from all evil. If she hitts you, you are a very lucky person and will soon expect and child (only valid for women. The Krampus is much younger and got introduced by the catholic church as Nikolaus' helper to get rid of the Percht, but in Austria we like her.
Trevor - December 8, 2006 11:25 AM
Wouldn't the North American version of the Krampus be the Grinch?
He's green (not red, no horns), hairy all over, dresses like St. Nick, and is overly mean at Xmas. He breaks into people's houses and robs them of their Xmas presents, decorations, and treats.
He is eventually beaten when you accept the Xmas spirit above all else.
Plus he was played by Jim Carrey which was scarey enough.
Viva la Krampus! - December 18, 2006 10:37 AM
Oh come on Alan! As a self proclaimed "Gen-X"er I would think you could appreciate the yin-yang balance the Krampas adds to Santa. A fat man who has kids sit on his lap, tell him their wishes and then sneaks into their houses to give them gifts seems to have much more of an agenda than a devil who simply abuses the kids outright. Years ago on a trip to Europe I got to enjoy a Krampus festival in Austria and have included the Krampus in my holiday festivities ever since. Even my kids love the Krampus!
+Portland- From what I've heard, the children the Krampus takes away in his sack, he takes into the woods and eats them. Mmmmm!
+Inge- You are quite right, that image is not a Krampus as it is traditonally portrayed. The Krampus is normally seen as a man/devil; human like face, short dark body hair, long red tounge, rather modest horns and cloven hooves, specifically one hoof and one human foot.
+Trevor- It is very possible that Dr Seuss modeled the Grinch after the Krampus, After all the Grinch did live on Mount Krumpet!