St. Nicholas leads off the round of winter customs. He appears almost exclusively accompanied – in some areas with St. Lucia and St. Barbara, but mostly in the company of a rough fellow, the Krampus.
The historical model of Nicholas is Saint Nicholas of Myra, a bishop who lived in the 3rd/4th century AD lived in Asia Minor. He is one of the most popular saints in Styria. In some areas, St. Nicholas goes from house to house on December 5, accompanied by figures of light such as St. Barbara or St. Lucia, to reward the good children with gingerbread, apples, tangerines, and nuts. Sometimes the girls wear crowns of lights on their heads – similar to St. Lucy in Scandinavia, while elsewhere St. Nicholas appears with both St. Lucy and St. Barbara as companions.
From House to House
Most of the time, however, Krampuses are the wild companions of St. Nicholas. This 'going-from-house-to-house-custom' has its origins in the 16th century. It usually starts at dusk: Santa Claus and his entourage set out to reward 'good' children and to reprimand 'bad' ones. Either children get a Santa Claus bag filled with sweets or a few knockers with the Krampurs' birch rod. In the past, it used to be customary for the children to say a prayer to St. Nicholas before the sweets were given. But also the adults were under scrutiny, to see whether they were keeping to good manners! I myself was also on the road as a Nikolo, which was real fun! It wasn't always quite 'dry', that's when I made first acquaintance with schnapps - there isn't time for more between door and hinge...
"Bartl, Bartl, Besenstiel...!"
The Krampus is also called 'Bartl' especially in rural areas of Styria. Where the word 'Bartl' comes from is not entirely clear. Possibly it is related to the names Berchtold ('Perchtl') or Bartholomew or simply indicates a bearded man.
The very brave also recited a little saying to the Krampus, which went like this:
"Bartl, Bartl, Besenstiel,
beten kann ich eh nicht viel.
Was ich beten kann,
geht dich gar nichts an!"
"Bartl, Bartl, Besenstül,
betn kann i e nit vüll.
Wos i betn kaun,
geht di går nix aun!" (Styrian dialect)
"Bartl, Bartl, broomstick,
I can't pray much anyway.
What I can pray,
Is none of your business!" (equivalent translation in English, rhymes in German)
Then the one who could run fast was well off!
Knecht Ruprecht
When I was a little child, there was talk of Knecht Ruprecht, especially my grandfather often spoke of him. I remember that Knecht Ruprecht is not quite as evil as the Krampus and also a little more cultivated than the Krampus. It could even be that he acted as a giver and rewarder, as a kind of fusion of Nicholas and Krampus in one person. But slowly he fell into oblivion. Knecht Ruprecht still appears in some areas of Germany, he can also be the companion of the Christkind. Visually, he differs from the Krampus: He usually carries a brown or black cowl and a beard as well as a rod, but also a sack with gifts.
The Krampus
The Krampus comes from Austria. From there it has spread to Bavaria and neighbouring regions, such as Bavaria, South Tyrol, northern Italy and northern Slovenia.
From where St. St. Nicholas comes, is largely known. But where does the word Krampus come from? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the word Krampus derives from the German word 'Krampen' , which also means "claw".
More about the origin of the word:
*krampō germ F. st. (ō) cramp, clamp cramp (N. ) got. , as. , ahd. s. idg. *grem-, *h₂grem-, V. , Sb. , summarize, lap (M. ) (1), heap, pile, village, Pokorny 383?; idg. *ger- (1), *gere-, *h₂ger-, V. , to summarize, to collect, Pokorny 382got. *krampa, sw. M. (n), bracket, hook (M. ) (M. ); s. as. krampo 7, sw. M. (n), cramp, hook (M. ), cramp; mnd. krampe, F. , Krampe, Haken (M. ); nhd. Krampe, F. , Krampe; s. ahd. krampfo 18, krampho, sw. M. (n), hook (M. ), claw, cramp, gout; nhd. Krampf, M. , Krampf, Haken (M. ), Klammer, DW 11, 2010.
In the age of the Inquisition, the Krampus custom was forbidden. At that time, if someone dressed up as a devil, the penalty was death. Nevertheless, the custom continued in secrecy in remote areas until it became widespread again. Attributes that should never be missing from a Krampus are a shaggy fur, often horns and a bute, the rod, a chain, and a bell. With that and with their deep, disguised voices, they make quite a ruckus.
Krampus Run
While up to the end of the 20th century there were only isolated Krampus runs, these are becoming increasingly popular. The runs are organized among the customs groups, and there are mutual visits to each run. It is often quite hearty, and although the Krampus is the symbol of tamed evil, he just can't help it – he can't shed his true nature. Otherwise it would be boring anyway !
Krampus Postcards
In my youth, we liked to send Krampus postcards and even preferred to receive some. Of course, the sender was always anonymous and usually a secret admirer. These cards could also be quite rough and did not skimp on frivolous innuendo.
Have you ever received Krampus postcards?
This card says: 'Greetings from Nicholas and Krampus!'
This one says: 'Krampus is a man who can capture even without chains' and 'Greetings from Krampus'.
Krampus in Arts and Crafts
The growing popularity of the customs surrounding St. Nicholas and Krampus is also reflected in arts and crafts. Thus, in recent years, some skilled craftsmen enthusiasts have taken up the subject field for themselves. In the process, true works of art have been created that have also received international recognition, such as those of Maskenschmiede Koller, where the masks are artistically made out of wood:
'Kramperl' mask from the Maskenschmiede Koller.
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