On December 5th 2020, the Krampus paraded through Williamsport, for Krampus Day.In Austria, the Christmas season begins with the arrival of Krampus. All children, especially naughty ones, must be home by 7pm on Krampus night. The beast then comes with a great clatter, growling and sputtering, as he interviews the parents about their offspring's behavior. With horns on his head, a blackened face, and a tail, Krampus carries a basket on his back, and a switch, commonly made of witch hazel, in hand.
If the child has not been good, Krampus may apply the switch, or wrap his chains about a boy and threaten to carry him away, in the large basket he carries upon his back.
"Krampus then recites the sins of the children during the year, the switch is applied, and all is grief and confusion" - The Chatanooga Times, 1930
"Then father, robed as a bishop, opens the door, expels Krampus, and showers treats on the redeemed"
In some Vienna towns, St Nicholas is accompanied by both an Angel and Krampus on Krampus night. The three travel together, visiting homes. St Nicholas would be more traditionally dressed in normal every day clothing on this night, but still with a long white beard, and carrying a scepter.
The job of being Krampus often fell to the community chimney sweep, as he was blackened from his work. A red coat, horns, and perhaps a tail, finished the look. Parents would pay a fee to have Krampus come scare their children.
While kind St Nick, a trusting soul, may trust the youngsters assurances that they have been good, Krampus instead concentrates on scaring the young ones into repentance.
"Some of the braver children they say, can stand firm in the face of the slicing whip and rattling chains. But even the most courageous are bound to cower before the large basket that Krampus traditionally uses to carry off bad little girls and boys" - The Bradford Era, 1953
"It is the custom, in the cities, for people to send gifts to one another on Krampus Day, and whatever the gift may be, it is always tied up or decorated with red ribbons and accompanied with a little gold switch. Gentlemen send their lady friends red baskets filled with bonbons or bouquets of flowers, with the defied gold switch" - The Pittsburgh Post, 1907
If the child has not been good, Krampus may apply the switch, or wrap his chains about a boy and threaten to carry him away, in the large basket he carries upon his back.
"Krampus then recites the sins of the children during the year, the switch is applied, and all is grief and confusion" - The Chatanooga Times, 1930
"Then father, robed as a bishop, opens the door, expels Krampus, and showers treats on the redeemed"
In some Vienna towns, St Nicholas is accompanied by both an Angel and Krampus on Krampus night. The three travel together, visiting homes. St Nicholas would be more traditionally dressed in normal every day clothing on this night, but still with a long white beard, and carrying a scepter.
The job of being Krampus often fell to the community chimney sweep, as he was blackened from his work. A red coat, horns, and perhaps a tail, finished the look. Parents would pay a fee to have Krampus come scare their children.
While kind St Nick, a trusting soul, may trust the youngsters assurances that they have been good, Krampus instead concentrates on scaring the young ones into repentance.
"Some of the braver children they say, can stand firm in the face of the slicing whip and rattling chains. But even the most courageous are bound to cower before the large basket that Krampus traditionally uses to carry off bad little girls and boys" - The Bradford Era, 1953
"It is the custom, in the cities, for people to send gifts to one another on Krampus Day, and whatever the gift may be, it is always tied up or decorated with red ribbons and accompanied with a little gold switch. Gentlemen send their lady friends red baskets filled with bonbons or bouquets of flowers, with the defied gold switch" - The Pittsburgh Post, 1907
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Christmas In The Susquehanna Valley
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I love the Krampus costumes! You would think that they should have them actually for Halloween!
ReplyDeleteGermans love to put fear into kids:) Discipline is a major part of the German culture. Children are to behave and listen to their elders. I can see how this tradition of Krampus came about in this culture.
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