Krampus: Devourer of errant children!

With Christmas hurtling towards us like a runaway train, and children having only presents and Father Christmas on their minds, I thought it would be interesting to look at the other side of the festive season. While shops and homes across the world deck themselves in lights, tinsel and perhaps even boughs of holly, focusing on good will and gift giving, there is a darker side to this occasion.

Who is Krampus?

Image credit: Michael Kleinsasser on Pixabay

Usually male, Krampus is depicted as a hairy half-goat half-demon creature. With twisting horns and a red lolling tongue, he pursues children who have misbehaved throughout the year. He is also depicted as having razor sharp fangs and long claws and carries a whip to beat naughty children with. Other depictions are of him carrying a bundle of birch branches instead known as Ruten. These are also used to swat children and presumably scare them into behaving.

Originating in Germany, the word Krampen translates into English as claw.

Traditional depictions, especially on postcards show illustrations of Krampus with a basket on his back, often containing a wailing child, carrying it off to either be drowned, eaten or perhaps given a whistlestop tour of the underworld. Whatever fate beholds the errant child, needless to say, it is not good.

Image credit: Wikipedia.com ‘Greeting from Krampus!’

He is thought to have originated in Pagan festivals during the winter solstice where it was believed he is the son of Hel who is the Norse god of the underworld. Overtime, he has become associated with Christmas, owing mostly to the growth of Christianity.

It is unclear if Pagans viewed Krampus as evil in the way modern people do, but early Christians have used such symbolism in medieval plays as early as the 11th century. This technique meant native people would have a familiar symbol making the Christian plays more relatable to them. As time has passed, the Krampus effigy has morphed into the child-punishing creature we’re more familiar with today.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Krampus or Krampusnacht, is a celebration that takes place on the 5th of December each year mostly in Northern Europe, though countries as far south as Italy also celebrate it. Here, young men dress up in furry Krampus costumes giving them a terrifying appearance. With full head masks possessing ghoulish grins and snarls, topped with horns, they parade through the streets scaring the children of onlookers. Like demonic versions of Wookies, they are quite a sight.

Image credit: YAY Images on Depositphotos.com

Not just an Austrian tradition

It has become such a popular and famous tradition that parts of North America have also adopted the event. The first Krampus parade was celebrated in Clintonville, Ohio on the 5th of December 2015. Over 200 people dressed up as the Krampus and since then it is now a regular event. This has spread to other parts of the US such as Seattle and Philadelphia signalling the beginning of Christmas festivities.

A motion picture release!

In the same year, The film, Krampus was released on the 4th of December. The original release date was to be the 25th November, but it was decided the date should be pushed back to the 4th of December to coincide with the actual tradition. Whether this was linked with the first Krampus celebration taking place in Ohio, is debatable.

Image credit: http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/628805-you-better-watch-out-for-the-new-krampus-poster

In the film, a boy called Max loses his faith in Christmas after being humiliated by his older brother who reads out his letter to Santa to the rest of the family. In anger, he rips up his letter and throws it on the fire, unwittingly summoning the Krampus. From here, the demonic creature torments the family forcing them to work together, despite their bickering, to keep each other safe.

*Spoiler Alert*

It does not end well for them and Krampus manages to kidnap them in a very unusual and creative way leaving them to celebrate Christmas over and over again, locked in a perpetual nightmare.

And finally…

Perhaps you could try warning misbehaving children about Krampus and what he’ll do should they not listen and behave. You never know, it might just work. Or it also might give them nightmares and they’ll just end up sleeping in your bed for all eternity. A backfired punishment if there ever was one.

Whatever your beliefs, enjoy the festivities and Happy Christmas!

Image credit: Gina Sanders on Depositphotos.com

Sources:

Tikkanen, Amy. "Krampus". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Krampus Accessed 1 December 2021.

Lundin, Elizabeth, Krampusnacht: What is it, and how did it start? History Things, 30 Nov. 2020, https://historythings.com/krampusnacht-what-is-it-and-how-did-it-start/ Accessed 1 Dec 2021

Krampus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus Accessed 1 Dec 2021