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Who Is Krampus? 79

Who is Krampus?

Explaining the horrific

Christmas beast

The mythical Krampus is meant to
whip children into being nice.

By Tanya Basu

When listening to the radio in December, it's
unlikely to hear holiday songs singing the
praises of Krampus: a half-goat, half-demon,
horrific beast who literally beats people into
being nice and not naughty.
Krampus isn't exactly the stuff of
dreams: Bearing horns, dark hair, fangs, and a
long tongue, the anti-St. Nicholas comes with a
chain and bells that he lashes about, along with
a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty
children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the
underworld.

You better watch out . . .

In Catholicism, St. Nicholas is the patron saint
of children. His saints day falls in early
December, which helped strengthen his
association with the Yuletide season. Many
European cultures not only welcomed the kindly
man as a figure of generosity and benevolence to
reward the good, but they also feared his
menacing counterparts who punished the bad.
Parts of Germany and Austria dread the beastly
Krampus, while other Germanic regions have
Belsnickle and Knecht Ruprecht, black-bearded
men who carry switches to beat children. France
has Hans Trapp and Père Fouettard. (Some of
these helpers, such as Zwarte Piet in The
Netherlands have attracted recent controversy.)
Krampus's name is derived from the
German word krampen, meaning claw, and is "devils." Krampusnachts (in cities like Washington, D.C.
said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. Why scare children with a demonic, and New Orleans), and running in Krampus-
The legendary beast also shares characteristics pagan monster? Maybe it's a way for humans to themed races. (Read "How Krampus, the
with other scary, demonic creatures in Greek get in touch with their animalistic side. Such Christmas ‘Devil,’ Became Cool.")
mythology, including satyrs and fauns. impulses may be about assuming "a dual For its part, Austria is attempting to
The legend is part of a centuries-old personality," according to António Carneiro, commercialize the harsh persona of Krampus by
Christmas tradition in Germany, where who spoke to National Geographic magazine selling chocolates, figurines, and collectible
Christmas celebrations begin in early December. about revitalized pagan traditions. The person horns. There are already complaints that
Krampus was created as a counterpart to kindly dressed as the beast "becomes mysterious," he Krampus is becoming too commercialized and
St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with said. losing his edge because of his newfound
sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat popularity. []
"wicked" children, stuff them in a sack, and take Krampus is coming to town
them away to his lair.
According to folklore, Krampus SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING
Krampus's frightening presence was suppressed
purportedly shows up in towns the night of IS STARTING ON
for many years—the Catholic Church forbade
December 5, known as Krampusnacht, or
the raucous celebrations, and fascists in World
Krampus Night. The next day, December 6, is FEBRUARY 1 2019
War II Europe found Krampus despicable
Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, when children
because it was considered a creation of the
look outside their door to see if the shoe or boot ON THE ‘X’ ZONE TV CHANNEL
Social Democrats.
they'd left out the night before contains either
But Krampus has been having a
presents (a reward for good behavior) or a rod
resurgance over the past few years, thanks partly FOR ALL THE BREAKING NEWS,
(bad behavior).
to a "bah, humbug" attitude in pop culture, with UPDATES, AND PROGRAMMING
A more modern take on the tradition in
people searching for ways to celebrate the ANNOUNCEMENTS,
Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the
yuletide season in non-traditional ways. In the
Czech Republic involves drunken men dressed
United States, people are embracing the dark VISIT
as devils, who take over the streets for a
side of Christmas with Krampus movies, special
Krampuslauf—a Krampus Run of sorts, when
"Krampus" television episodes. They're www.xzonetvchannel.com
people are chased through the streets by the
throwing Krampus parties, attending local