Krampus: Journey into the Traditions of Winter's Dark Companion

Krampus, also known as the Christmas Devil, emerges from Southern Germany's Bavarian Alps, though his image has transcended borders. With roots in pagan times, Krampus takes on various forms, resembling ancient fertility gods like Pan and Faunus. Krampusnacht involves parades, processions, and festivities, captivating communities with a blend of tradition and revelry.

When is Krampusnacht? And What Does Krampus Do?

In German culture, St. Nicholas Day (or Nikolaustag) is celebrated on Dec. 6th. In the preceding night, children leave out shoes and boots, and St. Nick fills them with gifts. The night before, however, is also known as Krampus Night (or Krampusnacht). Krampus finds and punishes the wicked children of the world. According to lore, he drags them to the underworld, where he tortures and possibly eats them.

In the Alpine regions, pre-existing pagan traditions became interwoven with Catholicism, giving rise to a unique cultural fusion. A devilish figure named Percht, depicted as a two-legged humanoid goat with an elongated giraffe-like neck, adorned in animal furs, emerged within these traditions. Participants engaged in masquerades, donning costumes, and partaking in processions known as Perchtenlaufen. These early customs, considered precursors to the Krampus runs, faced skepticism from the Catholic Church and, in some cases, were officially prohibited by civil authorities. However, due to the sparseness of the population and the challenging terrain of the Alpine region, these bans proved ineffective and difficult to enforce, rendering them largely obsolete.

Over time, influenced by the Nicholas plays, which introduced Saint Nicholas and his ethical teachings, the Perchtenlaufen evolved. Saint Nicholas, symbolizing virtuous conduct, played a pivotal role in transforming the mischievous Percht into what is now recognized as the Krampus, aligning the figure with Saint Nicholas' moral directives.

A notable element of these traditions involves the offering of Krampus schnapps, a potent distilled fruit brandy. These runs, encompassing both Krampus and Perchten, embody the untamed pagan spirits rooted in Germanic folklore. It's worth noting that while Perchten are traditionally associated with the period between the winter solstice and January 6th, they sometimes take on female representations.

Krampuskarten

The tradition of exchanging greeting cards featuring Krampus dates back to the 19th century in Europe. Often accompanied by the phrase "Gruß vom Krampus" (Greetings from Krampus), these cards typically feature humorous rhymes and poems. Depictions of Krampus on the cards often show him looming menacingly over children, characterized by one human foot and one cloven hoof. Some cards carry sexual undertones, portraying Krampus in pursuit of buxom women. The representation of Krampus in these cards has evolved over time; older versions present a more terrifying figure, while modern iterations depict a cuter, more Cupid-like creature. Krampus has also found a place on postcards and candy containers.

Regional Variation

Krampus appears in the folklore of various European regions, including Austria, Bavaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Northern Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia. In Styria, Krampus presents a symbolic Rute (twig) to families, painted gold and displayed year-round as a reminder to children. Smaller, isolated villages in Styria feature other beastly companions known as Schabmänner or Rauhen. These villages lack the presence of St. Nicholas.

A milder version of Krampus is integrated into the Christmas markets in Austrian urban centers like Salzburg, where more tourist-friendly interpretations emphasize humor over fear.

North American Krampus celebrations are gaining popularity, with the Dallas Krampus Society Walk in 2016 being a notable example and the new popularity of Krampus in Seattle.

Similar figures with different names are present in neighboring areas, such as Strohbart in Bavaria, Klaubauf(mann) in Austria and Bavaria, and Bartl or Bartel, Niglobartl, and Wubartl in the southern part of the country. Other names include Barrel or Bartholomeus (Styria), Schmutzli (German-speaking Switzerland), Pöpel or Hüllepöpel (Würzburg), Zember (Cheb), Belzmärte and Pelzmärtel (Swabia and Franconia). In Slovenia, influenced by Austrian culture, Krampus is known as parkelj and is one of the companions of Miklavž, the Slovenian form of St. Nicholas.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Krampus is often described as a devil with a cloth sack around his waist and chains around his neck, ankles, and wrists. As part of tradition, if a child receives a gift from St. Nicholas, they are given a golden branch to symbolize their good deeds throughout the year. Conversely, if the child has misbehaved, Krampus claims the gifts and leaves only a silver branch, representing the child's transgressions.

12 Ways to Celebrate Krampusnacht

Whether you're in a Krampus-centric region or want to infuse your festivities with a bit of Christmas Devil flair, here are 12 ways to celebrate Krampusnacht this winter season:

1. Attend a Krampus Parade: Immerse yourself in the tradition by joining a Krampus parade in our area or abroad.

2. Bundle O’ Birch Twigs: Create a bundle of birch twigs for your front door, symbolizing purification and fertility.

3. Watch the Krampus Movie: Enjoy a Krampus movie night for a devilish cinematic experience.

4. Bake Krampus Cookies: Whip up Krampus-themed cookies to add a touch of the Christmas Devil to your holiday treats.

5. Krampus Masks and Costumes: Craft your own Krampus mask and costume, embracing the festive spirit.

6. Krampus Cocktails and Debauchery: Toast to Krampus with a themed cocktail or indulge in the revelry inspired by Bavarian traditions.

7. Ring the Bells: Embrace the cleansing power of bells, a tradition carried by Perchten and Krampuses during processions.

8. Krampus Décor: Ditch traditional decorations for a gothic Krampus-inspired theme, featuring bells, twigs, and Krampus merchandise.

9. COAL in Your Stocking: Transform the traditional coal stigma into a symbol of life, survival, and prosperity.

10. Send a Krampusnacht Postcard: Spread the festive fright by sending Krampus postcards to friends and family.

11. Read Germanic Lore: Dive into German folklore focused on Bavarian tales to explore Krampus's mysterious origins. That is if you can find a book containing the origin of Krampus.

12. Red and Black: Embrace Krampus's colors by wearing red and black, decorating with matching ornaments, and enjoying red and black foods.

Bonus Tip: Gifts for the Scary One: Leave out shoes filled with candy and a shot of schnapps or whiskey as an offering to Krampus.

Celebrate Krampusnacht with a mix of tradition and modern flair, immersing yourself in the intriguing world of the "Christmas Devil."

MERRY KRAMPUSNACHT!

bibliography - https://otherworldlyoracle.com/celebrate-krampusnacht/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

https://www.history.com/news/krampus-christmas-legend-origin