Krampus: Still feeding German kids’ (and our) nightmares after all these years
When we think of the winter holidays, certain images spring to mind: Christmas trees. Bright, shiny sleds. Cookies and eggnog. Children frolicking in freshly fallen snow. Demons chasing bad children through town.
Our friends in Central Europe get into the spirit with Krampusnacht, a magical celebration in which revelers dressed as Krampus, “a beast-like creature, generally demonic in appearance,” roam the streets looking for impudent youths to terrorize. And it’s totally legal.
In pre-Christian Alpine folklore, while St. Nicholas was busy each year dispensing gifts to good boys and girls, Krampus, the anti-St. Nick, was out getting his jollies by punishing youngsters who had misbehaved. That evolved into an annual and enduring ritual wherein villagers dressed up as Krampi accompany St. Nicholas and angels as they visit households to dole out rewards or reprimands as the preceding year’s behavior dictates.
Look at these scenes from humankind’s most splendid custom:
We just thought you should know.
*Tell us: How will you celebrate Krampus on Thursday night?