Well, this 'Krampuslauf' (or 'Perchtenlauf') has nothing to do with Christmas. It's an old tradition here in Austria. The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions, the Krampus is represented by an incubus demon accompanying Saint Nicholas. Krampus acts as an anti–Saint Nicholas, who, instead of giving gifts to good children, gives warnings and punishments to the bad children. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly in the evening of December 5, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Christian_Alpine_traditions#Perchten
Greetings from Austria! And have a wonderful Christmas time.
Awesome. I'm all for having a Krampus fest here in the Keys.
ReplyDeleteE, I would love it here, too. Kids are scared enough of Santa, imagine their reaction.
ReplyDeleteWell, this 'Krampuslauf' (or 'Perchtenlauf') has nothing to do with Christmas. It's an old tradition here in Austria.
ReplyDeleteThe word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions, the Krampus is represented by an incubus demon accompanying Saint Nicholas. Krampus acts as an anti–Saint Nicholas, who, instead of giving gifts to good children, gives warnings and punishments to the bad children. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December, particularly in the evening of December 5, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells.
Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Christian_Alpine_traditions#Perchten
Greetings from Austria!
And have a wonderful Christmas time.
Kurt
Kurt, I love the whole Anti-Christmas idea, I'm fed up with the whole present giving thing. Bah humbug!
ReplyDelete