The History Of Krampus

December is a great time to be in Austria and Europe, especially if you are a kid.  Not only is Christmas celebrated but also Krampusfest which is a three day event of fun, food and frights.  According to the tradition, St Nikolaus visits the children on the eve of December 5 along with a scary looking figure named Krampus.   His name varies from place to place but his purpose is the same.  We've all heard that Santa has a list of names of who's been good and  who's been bad.  Well this the night when all the bad kids get there dues. 

Dressed in shaggy furs and frightening masks with large horns, a few men go into town accompaning  St. Nick.  Growling and switching their switches,  they run door to door, through the streets, scaring the children, bringing lumps of coal and treats.  It's a wild night of screaming kids, scary krampi and lots wild parties and drinking (it is customary to offer schapps when the krampi come calling).  
 
Dec 6, the day after Krampus Day is when St. Nick comes calling to all the children who have been good.   A job made easier as Krampus has dealt with the naughty kiddies the night before.

Santa's appearance today is influence by the Norse god Thor, the long white bearded man in a flying chariot or sleigh.  Krampus is based on the Norse god Loki, a shaggy devil-trickster figure with big horns on his head.  Costumes for Krampus are made of long, shaggy fur not unlike a Bigfoot or Sasquatch.  The masks and horns called "Larven" are lovingly hand-carved, extremely detailed and grotesque. 

The adult side of krampus stems from the pagan practices of ancient europe in which he has a more sexual tone to his character.   Postcards depict the trickster, hunter-like krampus making advances at 'seeming' protesting women, with his swollen long red tongue.

Krampus (Austria, Germany, & some parts of Eastern Europe) - frightening devil-like figure with long shaggy fur, big horns and a long red tongue they carry a switch for punishing all the naughty children.  He is usually chained to St. Nick so he is under control and can't harm anyone.  (supposedly used as a template for Santa's elves in later Rankin-Bass productions)

Knecht Ruprecht* (Germany) - he's a dark and sinister clad in tattered robes who carries St. Nick's sack of presents and a rod or whip for punishing naughty kids.  Knecht means servant and Ruprecht was once known as the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsamann" or Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  (*mentioned a famous poem by Theodor Storm)

Angels (Belgium, Germany Poland, Ukraine & Austria) - also accompanies St. Nick, carring the large book in which St. Nick records the children's behavior.  In the Czech and Slovak tradition, the angel is a protector for the children against the devil.

Devil (Czech & Slovak) - vary similar to Krampus in appearance but he carries a staff for punishing.  He to is chained to St. Nick and an angel is there to protect the children.

Schmutzli (Switerland) - is all brown, with brown hair and beard, dressed in brown and he's face is darkened with lard and soot.  He would beat naughty kids and carry them off in a sack to the woods to eat them.

Zwarte Piet or Black Peter * (Netherlands) - he rides over the rooftops with St. Nick listening down chimneys to observe the children's behavior.  St. Nick  (known as Sinterklaas)  questions the children, giving them fruit & presents while Peits hands out the candy and treats. (*1845 book 'Sinterklaas en Zijn Knecht').

Pe're Fouettard (House'cker) (France & Luxembourg) - An evil butcher who is condemned forever to follow St. Nick as punishment for luring lost little children into his shop.  Loosily translated, his name means "Mr. Bogeyman", spanking or switches.

               Other Names for Krampus
Hans Muff  - in Rhineland
Hanstrapp or Rupelz  - in the french region of Alsacel
Pelzebock or Pelznickel  - in the north west
Bartel or Wild Bear - in Silesia
Gumphinkel - accompanied by a bear in Hesse
Black Pit - around the Dutch border
Stappklos or the Plodder & the Grumbler - refers to St. Nick & his helper.
White Horse or Donkey - St. Nick sometimes is riding a white horse or leading a donkey with baskets of presents.