Krampus, the Scary Christmas Tradition

Christmas is a time for giving, joy, and family. But your version of what Christmas means changes depending on which country you are in. The American version of Christmas isn't necessarily the same all around the world. Each country has its own elements that they have added on to the holiday. For example, in Japan, it is customary to go to a KFC (yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken) on Christmas Day; they are usually so busy that you usually have to make reservations. In Norway, the tradition is that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve, so it is customary to hide the brooms and for men to shoot shotguns in the air to scare the spirits away. In the Ukraine, it is tradition to put a spider and spider's web somewhere hidden in the tree. (The tradition dates to a poor woman who couldn't afford ornaments, and woke the next morning to find a spider had woven an intricate web on the tree.) It is considered good luck for anyone who can find the hidden spider web. Each country has it's own interesting and sometimes strange traditions, but one of the most bizarre comes from the countries around the Alps, specifically parts of Slovenia, Hungary, Germany, and especially in Austria.

In this region of the Alps, there is the old and strange custom of Krampus. We are all familiar with St. Nicholas (and some of us have even pieced together that the origin of Santa Claus is based off the real St. Nicholas), but we are less familiar with his sidekick named Krampus. Today, St. Nicholas will visit houses and businesses, but he will only pay attention to the good children and give them gifts. Who pays attention to the bad children? Krampus. Krampus will give the bad children coal and has been known to spank them. The tradition is clearly meant to scare children into being good.

The origin of Krampus goes back a very long time and actually has similarities with creatures from Ancient Greek mythology. The Krampus creature looks demonic in shape, usually furry and animal-like, as well as having horns growing out of his head. During the time of the Inquisition, the church tried to cut off any acknowledgement of Krampus, but it didn't work. By the 1600's, Krampus and St. Nicholas were paired together. In the 20th Century, the Austrian government has tried to discourage celebration of the scary beast. After their 1934 civil war ended, celebrations involving Krampus were banned. In the last twenty years, a massive resurgence of celebrations involving Krampus have become very popular, but naturally a debate has risen as to whether it is appropriate or good for children to be a part of.

St. Nicholas and Krampus at a Krampuslaufen.

On December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated across Europe, but in these areas of the Alps, the night is called "Krampusnacht" (Krampus Night). Anytime between then and January 6, there can also be what's called the Krampuslaufen, which is a run through the city with people dressed up as Krampus. The unusual feature of this (as if the whole thing isn't unusual already) is that when they run through the city, the participants are usually drunk. It is custom to offer schnapps to the Krampus runners on their trek through the cities.

Another element of Krampus is the use in postcards and holiday cards. It has been customary since the 1800's to send holiday cards and postcards that feature the grotesque beast in them with the phrase "Gruß vom Krampus" (Greetings from the Krampus). It is notable that the older cards are rather disturbing and scary, while the newer ones have become funnier and made the Krampus to appear more like a cuter Cupid-like creature. The newer Krampus cards show an element of dark humor as well as his trouble with ladies.

A newspaper illustration with St. Nicholas and Krampus from 1896.

Either way, it is a strange tradition that has raised some debate, but there appears to be no slowing down this popular tradition in the Alpine regions.

Bet you didn't know that!