Krampus is coming to town

He knows when you've been bad or good, so be bad for goodness sake

By: Wendy King Posted: 3:00 AM CST Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016

If Santa is the carrot that says to kids, “Get into bed early and good things will come,” then Krampus is the stick that says: “or else...!”

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If Santa is the carrot that says to kids, “Get into bed early and good things will come,” then Krampus is the stick that says: “or else...!”

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/11/2016 (3596 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If Santa is the carrot that says to kids, “Get into bed early and good things will come,” then Krampus is the stick that says: “or else…!”

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Van Sewell will be joined by other Krampus characters, including Kristen Andrews, who will be dressed as Berchta. — RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Van Sewell will be joined by other Krampus characters, including Kristen Andrews, who will be dressed as Berchta.

Winnipeggers, the well-behaved and otherwise, will be introduced to Krampus at this year’s Santa Claus Parade. Local artist and self-described “champion of all things sensible” Jordan Van Sewell will be leading a cohort of Krampus in the parade.

“I have gathered interested people who will be dressing as Krampus because Krampus isn’t just one guy — there is a host of Krampus,” says Van Sewell.

“We’ve learned to believe that there is one Santa, but there are many Krampus.”

First of all, Van Sewell wants to assure every parent and child at the Santa Claus Parade the Winnipeg Krampus marching in the parade will not be there to punish — but rather to remind — with a vigorous wag of the finger — that naughty is not nice. Underneath the fur and bells and makeup are people who are really jolly elves bringing joy and fun to the parade.

So just who is this Krampus creature?

In the old European traditions, Krampus was a spirit to be feared. Goat-like in appearance with dark fur, hooves and claws; ringing bells and brandishing a switch and a basket, he would arrive in advance of St. Nicholas to collect the naughty children and punish them with deeds too terrible to mention here.

“Santa got the list of everyone who was nice, and Krampus got the naughty list,” says Van Sewell.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Artist Jordan Van Sewell is bringing Krampus to the Santa Claus Parade this year. — RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artist Jordan Van Sewell is bringing Krampus to the Santa Claus Parade this year.

He has wanted to bring Krampus to the parade for some time. Other cities have Krampus celebrations, and he says the hope here is to bring an interesting new element to an old tradition.

“I think we’re at an advantageous spot because we can take ownership of it by making it less horrifying and more fun and bring an element of naturalism to it,” he says.

“It’s nice to bring that back, rather than just another wrapped gift under the tree.”

Kristen Andrews, the proprietor at Ragpickers Anti-Fashion Emporium, thinks Krampus has an important social role to play during the season.

“Krampus gives us a chance to be really honest with ourselves and ask: have we really been good this year?” she says.

“Of course we’re going to tell Santa we’ve been good — we want the presents — but you can’t get away with that with Krampus.”

Andrews will be dressed as Berchta (also known as Perchta), who represents the feminine principle of the crone who is also seen in Krampus celebrations. (There is also a character called Lady Krampus who joins the runs).

Andrews’ costume consists of buffalo fur leggings, a sheepskin vest, a flannel skirt and cape and a broom to “sweep up” those who misbehave. Van Sewell will be wearing a black coat, a hat and boots with “coal dust” on his face. He will be carrying a “basket of deplorables” — naughties such as Pinocchio who have been caught misbehaving. There is also a small globe hanging out of the basket.

“The globe is to remind us that there is room for everyone in Krampus’ basket,” he says.

For Van Sewell, playing with Krampus is taking an old world tradition and adapting it for 21st-century children. He says these traditions have merit and shouldn’t disappear. Taken in context, they provide a balance to the holiday we celebrate.

“It will be all in merriment!” he says.

The History of Krampus

Winnipeg Free Press photo

Krampus is an old-style European holiday spirit, part of centuries-old alpine Christmas traditions. His name derives from the word ‘krampen,’ meaning ‘claw’, and he’s depicted as a hairy, horned, hooved, wild and wicked-looking creature with a terrible tongue who carries a sack, chains, bells, and a ruten (switch) made of rushes.

The tradition has many variations cross-culturally, but generally Krampus shows up on Dec. 5, Krampusnacht, the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, dressed in bishop’s garb, represents all things good and refined. He would never involve himself with naughty children. That job is left to Krampus. In some versions, he chases down the naughty children and steals them away for further punishment. In others, he hands out coal and swats them with the ruten. His face is often blackened with the coal he hands out to yuletide miscreants.

Some suggest Krampus and Berchta (or Perchta, who represents the feminine principle of the crone and sometimes runs with Krampus) come out of old pagan rites discouraged by the early church.

The original Krampus is dark and scary like early versions of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and like fairy tales, the intent is to ensure children behave. This makes a lot of sense. Historically, the stakes were higher. As they say, life was brutish and short, and people would do and say whatever they needed to keep everyone safe. If you disobeyed and wandered into the woods, say, there was a good chance strangers — in the guise of a family of bears or a wolf dressed as someone familiar — could do you grave harm.

Krampuskarten (cards), a popular yuletide postal tradition, have historically featured hapless children being taken away by Krampus. Some show a more ribald Krampus punishing misbehaving ladies, while Berchta cards depict her handing out equally fearsome punishment to randy or rowdy young men.

Today, yuletide is launched in cities and towns in Europe and some American states with Krampuslauf and Perchtenlauf. This a “run” where many Krampus and Perchta run through the streets in full costume to kick off the season and as a ritual to run winter’s ghosts out of town.