St. Nicholas, in the "olden days," never traveled alone. Since he was a good and kindly fellow who could never condemn anyone, he required a stern companion to help him handle naughty children. Unlike Black Peter, who accompanied the good Saint in Holland and helped him hand out presents, this companion—known by names like Pelznichol, Belsnickel, Hans Trapp, etc—carried birch rods which were given to parents of naughty children to beat them (the modern equivalent would be the mild "coal in your stocking"). Of all these "punishers," Krampus was the most fearsome: he looked like a cross between a man and a goat, with cloven hooves on his legs, horns on his head, and a big long red tongue that lolled out three to four feet. Originally he took bad children and stuffed them in the big sack he carried upon his back.
This custom died out in the 20th century, but is now being revived, especially in Germanic European countries, as a scary but fun festival at Christmastime.
KrampusKrampusnacht - December 5, 2022
Krampuslauf 2022 in Salzburg, Austria
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