ITT: A Kreature Named Krampus

December 6th is St. Nicholas Day which in many European countries is a festival for kids that centers around St. Nicholas and his reputation as a bringer of gifts. I am fascinated by the whole thing but especially the idea of St. Nicholas' companion Knecht Ruprecht (Germany) or Krampus (Bavaria/Austria).

In Germany, Nikolaus is usually celebrated on a small scale. Many children put a boot called Nikolaus-Stiefel outside the front door on the night of December 5 to December 6. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts and sweets, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good, polite and helpful the last year. If they were not, they will have a tree branch (rute) in their boots instead. Sometimes a disguised Nikolaus also visits the children at school or in their homes and asks them if they have been good (sometimes ostensibly checking his golden book for their record), handing out presents on a per-behaviour basis. This has become more lenient in recent decades.
But for many children, Nikolaus also elicited fear, as he was often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Ruprecht), who would threaten to beat, or sometimes actually beat the children for misbehaviour as using this myth to 'bring up cheek children' for a better, good behaviour. Any kind of punishment isn't really following and just an antic legend. Knecht Ruprecht furthermore was equipped with deerlegs. In Switzerland, where he is called Schmutzli, he would threaten to put bad children in a sack and take them back to the dark forest. In other accounts he would throw the sack into the river, drowning the naughty children. These traditions were implemented more rigidly in Catholic countries and regions such as Austria or Bavaria.
In highly Catholic regions, the local priest was informed by the parents about their children's behaviour and would then personally visit the homes in the traditional Christian garment and threaten to beat them with a rod. In parts of Austria, Krampusse, who local tradition says are Nikolaus's helpers (in reality, typically children of poor families), roamed the streets during the festival. They wore masks and dragged chains behind them. These Krampusläufe (Krampus runs) still exist.

When I was a kid my parents did the whole boot thing with me but I always got candy and was never punished. My dad recently told me a story about when he was a kid and Nicholaus and Knecht Ruprecht visited his house while a friend of his was there. They were asked to recite a prayer and the other kid got so scared he just clammed up so my dad took over and said the prayer for him. I guess the fear of being found "bad" and taken away by Ruprecht was very very real.

Postcard from 1949 with Nicholaus and Ruprecht:

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/knecht-ruprecht-wmaster.jpg

Ruprecht with his sack:

http://www.bilderkiste.de/phpcliparts/media/knecht_ruprecht_sack.gif

Maybe someone can help explain why Ruprecht is often depicted as black. I know that in Holland he's called Black Peter:

http://www.schulbilder.org/de-malvorlagen-ausmalbilder-foto-sankt-nikolaus-und-knecht-ruprecht-p8927.jpg

AND NOW THE MOST TERRIFYING MOTHERFUCKER OF ALL . . . KRAMPUS:

http://markmaynard.com/media/users/mark/krampus08.jpg

Krampus is a mythical creature who accompanies Saint Nicholas in various regions of the world during the Christmas season.[citation needed] The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a demon-like creature accompanying Saint Nicholas. Krampus acts in conjunction with Saint Nicholas; the latter gives gifts to good children, while the Krampus gives warnings and punishments to the bad children.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] In some rural areas the tradition also includes birching by Krampus, especially of young females.

http://www.dymaxionweb.com/kulturedrome/Krampus2xx.jpg

http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Eric_B/krampus-tongue

http://www.recreatingtampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/krampus2.jpg

http://www.auhirschpass.at/pass/images/stories/krampus.jpg

Video from a Krampus festival earlier this week in Schladming, Austria:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9MpAGlz1BQ

http://zuill.us/andreablog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2092122378_2b28eb804e_m.jpg

http://www.metropostcard.com/picsblog/b-krampus.jpg.jpg

(xpost) cover for a potential Lordi Christmas single?

Krampus = Kils Frykdahl

http://mattness.net/gallery2/d/6253-2/Sleepytime_Gorilla_Museum_008.jpg

I mean Nils

In Switzerland, where he is called Schmutzli

This sounds like something you step in.

Maybe someone can help explain why Ruprecht is often depicted as black

It's soot. He comes down the chimney innit.

In Switzerland, where he is called Schmutzli
This sounds like something you step in.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, December 3, 2009 11:22 AM (22 minutes ago) Bookmark

Well, Schmutz means "dirt" so that makes sense.

x-post A ha! Does Black Peter come down the chimney? If so, why is only he black and not Nicholaus? I didn't have time to research that bit.

OK yeah, I didn't think that he was originally black because of soot. Was pretty sure it was something racist and surprise surprise, it is or was as may be the case:

Although it is said that the origins of Zwarte Piet are unknown, it seems most plausible that Zwarte Piet is a continuation of the much longer held tradition of depicting Sinterklaas in the company of a dark skinned man, namely thought to be the Devil. This was due to the pervasive belief amongst Europeans that the Devil would resemble a Moor. The first mention of Zwarte Piet in Dutch literature refers to him as a beggar on the street, after Sinterklaas helps him, he promises to stay with Sinterklaas, and help him. It has later been argued that Zwarte Piet was of Italian or other Southern European origin however this interpretation fails to explain the predominant images of Zwarte Piet, who often is depicted in the style of the classic darky icons, contemporaneous with the spread of darky iconography.[1]
Moreover, in recent years, in an attempt to soften the racist overtones, it is said that Zwarte Piet is black because he has to climb down the chimneys with the presents for the children. This story also falls short of explaining the Blackfaced, googly-eyed, red-lipped Zwarte Piet dolls, die cuts and displays adorning store windows at this time of year, alongside brightly packaged and displayed, holiday merchandise.[2]
Due to the increased awareness surrounding the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands there has been recurring debate around the character of Zwarte Piet.

I was going to say that the chimney explanation sounded like uneasy embarrassed-by-racist-grandpa rationalization

c'mon, what scares white german folks more than a black man

santa's got a new sidekick, rasputin the mad monk

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/knecht-ruprecht-wmaster.jpg

can't wait for the claymation special

Well, it's actually the Dutch who have Black Peter not the Germans. I don't think Knecht Ruprecht is black but I could be wrong. Will look into it.

So this is the town my dad grew up in:

http://www.gleisweiler.de/deutsch/ort/detail.htm

If you look at the pics you can see that there are lots of woods around there. He says that Ruprecht really would take the bad kids and put them in the sack and then take them to the forest for a while as punishment. How fucking scary must that have been?!!!!!

Imagine being an adult in that town and having one dude consistently volunteer to play Ruprecht.

http://www.noisetosignal.org/images/posts/lofglazarou.JPG

The whole thing just kind of blows my mind. I know that in Austria the whole Krampus thing is still alive and well as illustrated but the youtube upthread but I'm not sure what happens now in Germany. I doubt that Nicholaus and Ruprecht go around in the big cities but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it still happens in small towns. I should ask my cousin. He has small kids. Will email and find out.

o man this makes christmas so much better - i wanna birch some young females

So this is the town my dad grew up in:

http://www.gleisweiler.de/deutsch/ort/detail.htm

If you look at the pics you can see that there are lots of woods around there. He says that Ruprecht really would take the bad kids and put them in the sack and then take them to the forest for a while as punishment. How fucking scary must that have been?!!!!!

― bear say hi to me (ENBB), Thursday, December 3, 2009 11:55 AM (3 minutes ago)

after reading little suckathumb as a bedtime story he was probably cool with it

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/edwardiii/jan23suckathumb.jpg

this is only slightly related, and i think i've talked about this before, but this statue in Bern Swizterland scared the hell out of me. it's supposed to be a giant eating babies, and when we asked our host what the deal with it was, he said, "it's for adults to point to when their kids are being bad, so they can say to their kids, if you don't behave, i will feed you to the giant."

http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1726318.html

I have a much older cousin who liked to tell the story of when she went to visit relatives somewhere in germany in the 60s, they would tie their toddlers to their cribs and go out

Yeah, terrifying. It's like the original Grimm tales that were truly truly frightening and horrible.

those pragmatic swiss

Europe=so awesome

"if we build a statue itll help the kids to get the point"

A+ child rearing concepts

why is this thread not on ILP

in the continuing saga of why the venture brothers are great, they featured the krampus in their christmas show, leading to much baffled head scratching across america

Am pretty glad my parents left out the whole punishment aspect of this whole thing and just filled my shoes with candy tbh. If he and his buddy Hubert had come around dressed as N and R I probably would have shit myself.

The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen).

^^Awesome if this came to America and Santa Claus was replaced with "Colonel Claw from Germany"

"sorry kids santa died meet dr claw"

http://nirakatak.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/hochalmpass_2003_badhofgastein-1.jpg

Not Ruprecht or Black Peter but oh man, how pretty is this little church?

http://www.ottawa.diplo.de/__Zentrale_20Komponenten/Themenpakete/Weihnachten/Bilder__weihnachten/Schnee__kirche__beleuchtet2,property=Galeriebild__gross.jpg

looks like it's made out of gingerbread

"if you're on the nice list, santa's gonna bring you lots of toys. if you're on the naughty list, mr claw will dismember you before dawn. merry christmas!"

looks like a still from harmony korine's where the wild things are

http://nirakatak.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/hochalmpass_2003_badhofgastein-1.jpg

FYI guys you can get your very own Ruprecht costume:

http://kostueme24.com/kostueme/images/1-4850_18.jpg

who knew Ruprecht looked so much like a character from a Street Fighter knockoff

Although this Krapmus mask on Ebay Austria is pretty awes and can be yours for EUR 75,86.

http://cgi.ebay.at/Krampus-Maske_W0QQitemZ110465148529QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKost%C3%BCme_Masken_Per%C3%BCcken?hash=item19b83c6671#ht_500wt_958

kinda wanna have kids and move to Europe so i can do the Krampus thing, which makes me thing i probably shouldn't have kids

make me think

the pics on this thread are great!

how gwar saved christmas

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/edwardiii/BgiTKW2kKGrHqUH-DEErQMhy7dBLFr84w8Q.jpg

Any of you ever see Cameron Jamie's short film about Krampus-y antics in Austria from a few years back? The Melvins did a tour playing a live soundtrack to it (and two of his other films), it was great

The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen).

^^Awesome if this came to America and Santa Claus was replaced with "Colonel Claw from Germany"

http://slurmed.com/wall/024/024.gif

" . . . except instead of 'Claus' it says 'Claws.' Today's comedians could learn from this card."

this is only slightly related, and i think i've talked about this before, but this statue in Bern Swizterland scared the hell out of me. it's supposed to be a giant eating babies, and when we asked our host what the deal with it was, he said, "it's for adults to point to when their kids are being bad, so they can say to their kids, if you don't behave, i will feed you to the giant."

http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1726318.html

― jazzgasms (Mr. Que), Thursday, December 3, 2009 11:59 AM (9 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

from wikipedia:
Because the ogre is wearing a pointed hat resembling a Jewish hat[1], it has been speculated[2] about the possibility of the ogre being the depiction of a Jew as an expression of blood libel against Jews.

however:

According to other theories it is a depiction of the Greek god Cronus. Probably, however, it is just a carnival character intended to frighten disobedient children[3].

Any of you ever see Cameron Jamie's short film about Krampus-y antics in Austria from a few years back? The Melvins did a tour playing a live soundtrack to it (and two of his other films), it was great

― I AGREE WITH THE COSMETIC SURGERY (DJ Mencap), Thursday, December 3, 2009 12:28 PM (9 hours ago) Bookmark

Woah, no! But I'm gonna be sure to check it out now.

Krampus reminds me of THE GRITHER (you cannot escape him, for pleading is useless and so are your prayers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1vmIBbjv6A

ahahahaha omg this one is great. Greetings from Krampus and Nikolo:

http://www.istrianet.org/istria/customs/images/1920s_krampus-snick1.jpg

http://www.istrianet.org/istria/customs/images/krampus1-300.jpg

yo i heard the popes chauffeur is satan just sayin

OK THIS MIGHT BE MY FAVORITE

ATTENTION! KRAMPUS IS LANDING!:

http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Eric_B/krampus-flying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThSUOWeyFzQ&feature=related

I just realized something awesome. On the German Simpsons, Santa's Little Helper is called Knecht Ruprecht!!!

Knecht Ruprecht in the Nursing Home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CegWV5qO7cM

Don't forget to put out your boot tonight. If you're lucky the Nicholas will fill it with candy!

Just wanted to make mention (as I hadn't seen a mention yet) of Fantagraphics' Krampus postcard book.

Hi. I just ordered that book. TY!

http://16.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kt684vuvKl1qz7alco1_500.jpg

NICE.

gahhh!

it's like god and the devil were forced to work together in some twisted buddy comedy

dunno that anyone else has mentioned this, but a few years ago i saw an art film/documentary about this. called "kranky klaus", by cameron jamie, scored by the melvins (who played live accompanying it). was awesome.

apparently in the town where this was filmed, there are several krampi who travel about in a pack each christmas eve. they "break into" local homes and terrify the children in a rather wild, violent and chaotic hours-long ritual. the young men and older teen boys of the town do the krampus work, dressing in MASSIVE, shaggy, beastman suits (reminiscent of some NW native spirit costumes) and tromping about through the snow. at the end of the night they all zonk out in a bar to drink and party. favorite scene was where the krampi take a pause to psych up by playing ram jam's black betty at someone's house.

anyway, was hilarious watching the melvins crush heads with snowbound slow-mo monster stomping in the background.

umm, yeah, it looks like dj mencap's already got that base covered.

Krampus on Colbert right now.

??

i am very much in favor of krampus.

As jjjustin mentioned http://www.guba.com/watch/3000103898/The-Venture-Brothers-A-Very-Venture-Christmas

Check it out at 2:49. They used the same pics and video linked in this thread. Maybe Colbert is secret ILXOR.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/258162/december-09-2009/the-blitzkrieg-on-grinchitude---hallmark---krampus

I grew up in the Netherlands in the 1970's. No one seemed to have a problem with Black Pete being black, back then. That was just his color, without any race attached to it; no matter what the origin of the story was. Black kids saw the same source for candy in him as the white ones, not a soul brother. And no white kid will walk up to a black man to ask for candy. Kids know that difference, obviously and of course. Political correct people started to demand that Black Pete should change, that he would be purple colored, and pick, orange, yellow, etc. From that point on his blackness became an issue. Traditions aren't changed easily.

Black Pete's are not slaves. They work for Saint Nicolas by choice, because they like him. They seem to be the only ones who can be playful and carefree around Saint Nicolas, where all the kids fear him and all the grown-ups treat him with the utmost respect and good manners. A desirable position. Black Pete got the kids respect too. Because if you didn't behave he could spank you or take you back with him in a bag, where you would be made into ginger cookies.

I'm glad we didn't have Krampus in the Netherlands. I would have lost sleep over that.

http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv2a3ksV991qa6s1zo1_400.jpg

OK OK YOU WIN!

I believe in Krampus. What's more, I have been thoroughly convinced that he is WAY cooler than Santa Claus.

xxp "I grew up in a place where black people were mythical, so it wasn't an issue until the bad people MADE it an issue."

"Fuck you, I knew at least one black family! In fact, everyone I knew also knew one black family! It was the same black family!"

"You're an idiot."

Did I miss anything?

Actually, this year the issue with Saint Nicolas was that he has a Christian Cross on his hat and that it was changed this year into a neutral sign, in order to make the Saint more appealing/less offensive to the large Muslim population too. Traditionists were outraged and talked about islamnization. Funny thing: the muslims didn't ask for it and couldn't care less.

KRAMPUS KOUNTDOWN Y'ALL

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y5Y_xVte8sI/SU6pnRCBdQI/AAAAAAAABMA/HvamAkhRCpg/s1600-h/Krampus32.jpg

Grumpus?

http://media.photobucket.com/image/patton%20oswalt%20dog/jmelissa66/babygrumpus.jpg

No.

KRAMPUS.

Tho I do love Grumpus.

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv6gtt2Lk91qavaaoo1_500.jpg

This Krampus and his cow bell titties are pretty gangster imo.

whoa

THIS THREAD RULES

in ur driveway, terrifyin ur children

i printed a KRAMPUS pic last christmas and put it on my parents fridge. for some reason they've kept it there all year

:D awesome. Do you remember which pic?

yes, this one lol
http://markmaynard.com/media/users/mark/krampus08.jpg

Love that one but I think Krampus on the hanglider is still my fav of the ones from last year.

But for many children, Nikolaus also elicited fear, as he was often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Ruprecht), who would threaten to beat, or sometimes actually beat the children for misbehaviour as using this myth to 'bring up cheek children' for a better, good behaviour.

fuckin germans..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/edwardiii/krampus1.jpg

x-post - >:O watch it buddy or I'll make some phone calls to my people and they'll send Ruprecht after you.

how gwar saved christmas

― 鬼の手 (Edward III), Thursday, December 3, 2009 12:23 PM (11 months ago) Bookmark

lol

xp - it's OK E, I too have Deutsch roots. We are truly the world's most highly evolved people, no?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/edwardiii/i_believe.jpg

x-post Well, duh. In case it wasn't clear I wasn't actually mad. I always worry ppl think I'm serious when I act all offended on ILX. Anyway, Reprecht is totally evil and creepy (yet still awesome) and the punishment thing is def v v lolGerman.

Why is 'Krampus' not currently the name of a Scandinavian etc. black/death metal band? What a missed opportunity!

xp - E, s'cool, I didn't think u mad. joeks!

http://offtrackplanet.com/inspiration/what-the-fuck-is-zwarte-piet/ <- all I know about, as I'm from Belgium or the Netherlands.

EARLY DISMISSAL *HIGH FIVES YOU ALL INCLUDING KRAMPUS* I'm out.

Hey, someone do me favor and make this guy into an animated avatar for me OK? Thanking you in advance.

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kv6gtt2Lk91qavaaoo1_500.jpg

http://offtrackplanet.com/inspiration/what-the-fuck-is-zwarte-piet/ <- all I know about, as I'm from Belgium or the Netherlands.

...or?

If I'd just said Belgium, someone would have added "it's Zwarte Piet in NL as well" - I mean, I'm from one of the countries where we don't have this Grumpus fella.

KRAMPUS

he's comin 4 u now

uh oh! :-(

What's shakin' guys?

http://i56.tinypic.com/20h12qu.gif

nice boobs

ws

would bring to a cyclocross and/or alpine skiing race

WKIWK?

yes, obv, dude knows how to party

k, just checkinh

err checking

I love fukkin krampus, he is the best

<3 u krampus. i posted a photo of krampus on my facebook last year and one friend noticed and pointed out that the site of origin (that is, not the google search i found it through) was a particularly extreme fetish site. it was a good day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmu6L2KzKXQ

^^^ Thanks Jaxon.

Why do I have this sneaking anthropological suspicion that the Krampus myth is much older than St. Nick and Christmas?

Happy St. Nikolaus Day. Krampus be roaming tonight!

thanking you for the reminder. going to find that guy tonight.

:D

oh man, it is not december 5! been a long weekend.

oh boo - today is St. Nick day so Krampus would have been out last night I guess? Booo!

i am making enquiries

BOOM

On December 6 and December 20 Santa's meanie helpers (many dressed up as grotesque demons) have a "Krampus run" around a few Munich Christmas markets, especially the one at Marienplatz. It's worth seeing for the costumes alone and takes place from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

aw nerds, that's last year.

this year's was last night night and december 19

http://www.muenchen.de/cms/prod2/mde/_de/rubriken/Rathaus/65_raw/Tourismusamt/img/img_veranstaltungen/img_veran_eigene/Krampuslauf_180.jpg
The Krampus Run in Munich 2010

The traditional "Krampus Run" recalls the Christian legend of bishop Saint Nicholas and his dark-faced companion, "Krampus". Today, many young people enjoy bringing the 500-year custom back to life. "Sparifankerl Pass", Munich's first "Krampusgruppe", does a breathtaking race through the market, dressed in archaic costumes.

"Krampus Run":
Dates: Sun, December 5 & 19, 4:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m.

effin phd

Will you still be there on the 19th?!

No, I move to the UK on Friday!

Oh well - that's sad in terms of missing Krampus but exciting for you too! :D

I am seriously disappointed about this! It was my main thing to do this week that wasn't flat-cleaning and packing, but I postponed looking into the details until I handed in my thesis. Now look at me! I will go to hell.

Oh no!!!! :/

you're very own Krampus!
http://uncleghastly.blogspot.com/2010/11/he-knows-if-youve-been-naughty-krampus.html

great article about the origin of krampus, and indeed the fat red-suited white-bearded fella himself - you may be surprised:

http://staff.kings.edu/davidjohnson/Sample%20Chapter%20_5_,%20From%20Whence%20Santa%20Comes.pdf

Krampus
Coffee beans look like little vaginas.
4 minutes ago · 1 · Like · Comment

(|)_(|)

hahahahahhahaha

Krampus not too good at anatomy though since he obv meant vulvas.

I came to mention the Cameron Jamie video, but others got there before me I see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y__YfJW40I

<3

spotted tonight in the supermarket

http://i52.tinypic.com/2wfkbqv.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnl5ZWG4tg&feature=player_embedded

erica what is the plural of krampus

a cycling company based in mpls would like to know

die Krampi according to dict.cc

husband sez die Krampusse

german plurals are the worst

but yeah, much more results for die krampusse

surly just came out with a monster 29" bike called the krampus and i want one v v badly

haha awes

good thred http://sandbox.ilxor.com/sandbox/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?showall=true&bookmarkedmessageid=54174&boardid=141&threadid=1610

there's a horror movie in this somewhere

and i kind of want that bike

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj242/donaldparsley/krampus.jpg

nasty

so fukkin boss, in a christmas-y green no less

I don't often covet shit but that bike is awesome, it's been haunting me on my Facebook feed for 2 days

yah, a qbp bro of mine got to ride one today for a few hours and says it rules

so tempting

i like that it is being held up by an evil looking stick

yes!

Hello!

Yah, Krampusse. lol.

Sweet bike, Ev!

Guys. It's almost time.

stoked for the madness http://www.muenchen.de/themen/winter/weihnachten/braeuche/krampuslauf.html

http://www.muenchen.de/media/th/bg/winter_weihnachten/bildergalerien/Krampuslauf_2011/14-2___506_0.jpg

most magical time of the year

o man this makes christmas so much better - i wanna birch some young females

― ice cr?m, Thursday, December 3, 2009 4:58 PM (2 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

lol

ha! Mah krauts are coming over here for Christmas this year but one day I'll go visit them this time of year and make it to the Krampuslauf, mark my words!

I got a fantastic krampus ring from my ilx secret santa last year. I plan on wearing it throughout the holiday season.

A KRAMPUS RING WHAT?

lol

I want.

I don't have it with me right now but I should take a picture later.

Yes. Yes you should.

ENBB, if my Krampus ring supplier is at the craft fair next month, I will pick you up one. Otherwise, I'll give you mine.

While that is indeed a very kind gesture, I would not accept your own Krampus ring Tokyo Rose for that is something you should wear and cherish forever but do let me know the name of your supplier. I am . . . intrigued.

I can't remember the vendor name!!!

My birthday is December 6, I suppose I should wear my ring then.

Yes! And put your shoes out so that you can get candy!

I should have these as cards this year, huh?

http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6326266/il_fullxfull.330334228.jpg

http://cactusshadowkid.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/krampus.gif

who could be afraid of such a lovable scoundrel?

hahah i love him!

That is the cutest krampus I've ever seen.

lol @ children in his sack

krampus's baby bjorn

I was just thinking about Krampus last night after I came across this Wiener Werkstätte postcard.
http://www.cardcow.com/values/images/53692.jpg

I got this book for Christmas last year:

http://www.amazon.com/Krampus-Devil-Christmas-Monte-Beauchamp/dp/0867197471/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353338487&sr=1-2&keywords=krampus

It's a good'un.

http://www.austria-onlineshop.com/milka-krampus-klein_1_0_1_11.html

When my wife was a little Viennese girl, one of the neighbors in the apartment building would dress up as Nikolo and go to all of the apartments with little kids in them. One year, her father suggested it would be more fun if he joined in as Krampus. So my future wife, her little brother, and a couple of neighbors kids were playing at her parents apartment on the 5th when they heard the rattling of chains signifying the arrival of Krampus. The four children immediately ran under a table, clutching each other and wailing, their eyes closed tightly. Krampus did not return the following year.

http://mcphee.com/shop/krampus-sweater.html

nice!

Even Oxford University Press are getting in on Krampus fever this year:
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/12/the-krampus/

(I bought approx 6000 Lebkuchen for my last German evening class of the term last night and, having about 5990 left this morning, put the remainder in the office kitchen as an excuse to send round a Krampus-related email)

Today is St. Nicholas day which means that the Krampusse would have been roaming last night!!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gxq5uJIKars/TPvAoh2TDhI/AAAAAAAADzw/WrsXMJ6dQ0M/s1600/1920s_krampus-snick1.jpg

I hope pics/vids from Krampusnacht 2012 start appearing soon.

Also, x-post Lebkuchen is one of my favorite things ever.

I forgot to wear my ring!!! I'll wear it when I go out later.

http://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/45b5a7b21cb4eef17b9cb968b8b3953c/tumblr_meocw2r6e01qz6f9yo1_500.jpg

My friend is making a short film called "Night of the Krampus"

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/300/rangda4.jpg

Rangda could give Krampus a run for his money yes?

http://s3.amazonaws.com/magnoliasoft.imageweb/bridgeman/supersize/lit389239.jpg

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_615/1309426404ZvlOv9.jpg

Rangda is the demon queen of the leyaks in Bali, according to traditional Balinese mythology. Terrifying to behold, the child-eating Rangda leads an army of evil witches against the leader of the forces of good

xxp - don't just stand there let's get to it, strike a pose there's nothing to it, KRAMPUS.

saw a person on the subway this week reading a book titled, I think, "KRAMPUS: THE DEVIL OF CHRISTMAS"

Did you know that KRAMPUS backwards is 'SUP MARK?

http://shredders.myshopify.com/products/krampus-knit-christmas-devil-sweater-pre-order

Krampus has come to LA!

http://krampuslosangeles.com/

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/12/2/1386003833636/df4229fc-0659-452a-8f88-1c5ca098e2cb-620x408.jpeg

<3

http://www.manner.com/lib/f_dbstream.php?tn=tab_file&fd=file&mt=image/jpeg&id=1410&hxfile&f=5677_NuK-Riegel_210.jpg

Krampus knows how to have fun too:
http://image0-rubylane.s3.amazonaws.com/shops/curioshop/col-9807.1L.jpg

"KrampusValentine.jpg"
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtZnoGPIrwY/TzqFQCf1HhI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ra3ZvP9lT3U/s1600/1910postcard-KrampusValentine.jpg

I'm going to a Krampus house party tomorrow. Wish me luck.

thought krampus might have had other things on his mind in 1945

I want those chocolate banana candies.

crampa

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/shroomman778/Borat.jpg

Awesome photos here:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/12/krampus-saint-nicholas-dark-companion/100639/

Gruss vom Krampus!

Icelandic Christmas Cat!!

http://www.grapevine.is/media/w490/191bc13dcfd4765b.jpg

If you don't get new clothes, it will eat you.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/krampus120313/s_k15_52988103.jpg

barrel of fire!

with the shell logo on it!

holy shit, that is pretty impressive for a "costume"

http://i.imgur.com/00Vb0V9.jpg

*hides*

caption for that photo = 'And the child was never seen alive again'

where is our gavle goat thread

dig the bro @4 in that atlantic spread

we never had one iirc, we talked about it in the wikipedia thread

there is a new one So classic thnx for burning it!: Gävle goat celebration/prognostication/mourning thread

but the wikipedia thread is where the lolz occurred

I love that dumb goat.

https://twitter.com/Gavlebocken

Oh, don't worry. I'm following him already. ;)

i was at a friend's house tonite who like a good Swedish-American Midwesterner had a pair of small Yule Goats out on display with the rest of her xmas decorations but had never heard of the Gävle Goat

I feel like Krampus has gotten way more popular since first started this thread. I found a Krampus ornament this year!

Feel like owes me a lot tbh.

yeah this thread was my first encounter with krampus, no one i shared him with had heard of him, but now he seems to be everywhere. maybe we as a community should now divert our attention towards popularising the icelandic yule cat?

I feel like Krampus has gotten way more popular since first started this thread. I found a Krampus ornament this year!

― Airwrecka Bliptrap Blapmantis (ENBB), Wednesday, December 4, 2013 8:36 PM (59 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

tbrr i think this thread was ground zero for the greater world's krampus appreesh

Yeah, I think you're right. Let's be honest guys, we totally broke Krampus.

maybe we as a community should now divert our attention towards popularising the icelandic yule cat?

yes!!

yea, this absolutely feels like the year krampus broke

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1453475_10152147476584009_1114452323_n.jpg

There's a night down here called Krampus, been going a while, but yeah, he seems to have been slowly getting more recognised over recent years.

maybe we as a community should now divert our attention towards popularising the icelandic yule cat?

YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES

You all know the Yule Cat
And that Cat was huge indeed.
People didn't know where he came from
Or where he went.

He opened his glaring eyes wide,
The two of them glowing bright.
It took a really brave man
To look straight into them.

His whiskers, sharp as bristles,
His back arched up high.
And the claws of his hairy paws
Were a terrible sight.

He gave a wave of his strong tail,
He jumped and he clawed and he hissed.
Sometimes up in the valley,
Sometimes down by the shore.

He roamed at large, hungry and evil
In the freezing Yule snow.
In every home
People shuddered at his name.

If one heard a pitiful "meow"
Something evil would happen soon.
Everybody knew he hunted men
But didn't care for mice.

He picked on the very poor
That no new garments got
For Yule - who toiled
And lived in dire need.

From them he took in one fell swoop
Their whole Yule dinner
Always eating it himself
If he possibly could.

Hence it was that the women
At their spinning wheels sat
Spinning a colorful thread
For a frock or a little sock.

Because you mustn't let the Cat
Get hold of the little children.
They had to get something new to wear
From the grownups each year.

And when the lights came on, on Yule Eve
And the Cat peered in,
The little children stood rosy and proud
All dressed up in their new clothes.

Some had gotten an apron
And some had gotten shoes
Or something that was needed
- That was all it took.

For all who got something new to wear
Stayed out of that pussy-cat's grasp
He then gave an awful hiss
But went on his way.

Whether he still exists I do not know.
But his visit would be in vain
If next time everybody
Got something new to wear.

Now you might be thinking of helping
Where help is needed most.
Perhaps you'll find some children
That have nothing at all.

Perhaps searching for those
That live in a lightless world
Will give you a happy day
And a Merry, Merry Yule.

Sunday night's American Dad was a Krampus-themed episode. It's all over.

why don't we have Sexy Krampus Halloween costumes yet?

u lose, krampus

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bb80oWTIYAAjRlj.jpg

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/europes-wild-men/freger-photography

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/europes-wild-men/img/05-czech-republic-st-nicholas-670.jpg

When jolly St. Nicholas visits the villages of Vysočina, he is joined by someone dressed as Smrt, or Death, whose scythe catches sinners.

cool pajamas

xpost that book lives in my amazon cart but i keep balking at the price

3rd world forcefield

Seems to be the place for this discussion:

http://gawker.com/dutch-court-finally-rules-racist-black-pete-character-1599633518

And here we go again:

http://www.thelocal.at/20141202/woman-attacked-by-man-dressed-as-krampus

http://www.ljplus.ru/img4/r/o/romson/KRAMPUS.jpg

ol krampus uppin the creepfactor

that is legit terrifying

Christmas in Europe is terrifying in general if you've been naughty. At best you can expect to be beaten by a semi-reformed child-killer. At worst you will be put in a sack and taken straight to hell. Even if you have behaved yourself there are zombie horses to deal with.

http://i.imgur.com/wFQeNJK.jpg

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/monsters-of-christmas

;_;

Going to a Krampus themed fancy dress party next weekend. This being London, hopefully there will be no Black Peters.

I'm going to a Krampus parade and a play this weekend. So far I haven't seen a Black Peter in LA.

http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/greetings-from-krampus

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/16086191012_2429887236_c.jpg

"wait wait wait you forgot your brother!!"

step aside Krampus, it's time to celebrate Befana the Christmas witch:

http://italophiles.com/images/labefanax.jpg

http://www.i-italy.org/files/imagecache/545x/files/still_photos/Befana-a-roma-2011_1293977106.jpg

Mamuthones and Issohadores

OMFG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6cVyoMH4QE

I don't know if I'm ok with this! Also, I feel like we should get a cut or something.

What holiday will that director hit next? Anyway, looks a little like Rare Exports.

Will this be hilarious and scary and cool or bloody dreadful?

I don't know. Trick r Treat was awesome, but it was also 8 years ago. I'm cautiously stoked. Not sure yet whether I'll see it in the theater.

Saw an interview with Toni Collette in which she was asked the same question - scary or funny? - and she said she had no idea! She hadn't seen it yet, but knew it could go either way, depending on a few decisions out of her purview.

has there been a Christmas horror movie poll?

bad about this movie

xp Black Christmas

Fave Christmas horror:

That Tales from the Crypt episode
Rare Exports
Gremlins

Don't forget Home Alone

and Santa Claus the Movie

Home Alone as horror movie equals You're Next.

http://i.imgur.com/1txJJ0w.png

this isn't very good

how ungood?

spotted in SF the other day:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/lqrnedqm7hm9wbt/12299339_920816254671499_4701246085122121675_n.jpg?dl=0

xp it's OKish

Do you think it would win over an 11-year-old aspiring horror fan?

better critics not very enthused

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/krampus/reviews/

Krampus is kruddy? Krap!

xxp I wouldn't want that responsibility, I don't watch a lot of films in this genre anymore. It's kinda boring tho. There are only a couple of creepy bits, and zero laughs in the theatre throughout (this was with an audience who, I got the impression, were really ready to like it). Gremlins it isn't.

there's a horror movie in this somewhere

― contenderizer, Saturday, July 21, 2012 7:33 PM (3 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

http://www.thelocal.at/20151210/wild-krampus-injure-five-teenagers

Coddled millennials can't handle a whipping anymore,

that is terrible and I feel really disappointed in myself because of how hard I'm laughing at it

Saw Krampus the movie today. Not great, but the horror elements were surprisingly effective. Some genuinely freaky imagery and cool FX

I liked it more than I thought I would

May God have mercy on my soul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygNUU41WfNQ

i wanted to see Krampus but they were only showing it on the director's screen so we went to see lady in the van instead, which was okay.

Very much looking forward to watching Krampus the Motion Picture with an Austrian audience.

For a PG-13 horror movie that's fun but also pretty dark and not afraid to stay dark, I thought "Unleash the Krampus: The Motion Picture" was pretty solid. Sure, there was the expected script sloppiness and shortcuts, but they weren't as bad as usual, and there was an element of wit at play throughout, however subtle. I particularly liked a bit where everyone's asleep and the fire burns out just as the iPad battery goes from 1% to dead.

Also, good acting across the board, even the kids.

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/fck_the_elf_on_the_shelf_heres_krampus_in_the_corner

http://blog.oup.com/2016/10/witches-werewolves-christmas/

krampus creep!

A new book on Krampus, by one of the Cacophony Society's founders (and ex Mr. Margaret Cho).

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-krampus-book-20161118-story.html

http://www.thelocal.at/20161129/austrian-krampus-bursts-into-flames-after-procession

Tomorrow is Krampusnacht in Pittsburgh: "Get your picture taken on his lap."

I want a Kranpusnacht here!!!!

Los Angeles' Krampus Run is Dec 14. The Krampus Ball was last weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1415148455250189/

Boston clearly needs to up its Krampus game.

The last couple of years they're performed a Krampus play in a church, but they're not doing that this year.

http://krampuslosangeles.com/traditional-krampus-nicholas-play-returns/

A Krampus podcast, from Al Ridenour, a major player in the LA Krampus scene.

https://www.boneandsickle.com/2018/11/28/the-krampus-saint-devil-sugar-bread-and-whip/?fbclid=IwAR0jF40wW0us4ShPDjKXwcF394dZ9E86M62DTjn83Fucirew-ctLhheW_Qg

I’m going to be in Germany on St. Nikolaus Day! Flying in that morning so will miss Krampusnacht but that’s not celebrated in the area I’m going to anyway sadly. That said, my uncle grew up in Bavaria so I’m going to ask him if he had any good Krampus memories/stories.

a major player in the LA Krampus scene.

unexpected phrase to read

Yes - I loved that and meant to comment similarly.

It's a real thing.

http://krampuslosangeles.com/

Didn’t see a single stinkin’ Krampus. HMPF.

jesus

Grýla by Þrándur Þórarinsson
In Icelandic mythology, Grýla is said to come from the mountains at Christmas in search of naughty children. pic.twitter.com/rYhSfePE3p

— Soniasuponia (@Soniasuponia) January 5, 2017

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48406703_10156984299247427_8064705558222995456_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=de7df3aebd59202a5e9bb04abdc73a28&oe=5CA227AD

happy Nicholas/Krampus Day!

a wonderful seasonal radio show "co-hosted" by Krampus:

http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/89938

Ken always has the best playlist gifs

I'll see your Krampus and raise you a Caga Tiò

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3_de_Nadal

and while we're at it, have some Caganer

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

How about some sexy Krampii?

https://dangerousminds.net/comments/racy_vintage_postcards_from_germany_of_krampus_cavorting_with_sexy_chicks_s

Happy St. Nicholas Day to those who celebrate such things.

A 15-minute doc on the Los Angeles Krampus activities.

https://vimeo.com/509369508

Soon . . .

yule cat ain't give a fuck ok, yule cat is here to terrorize children & feast on the shabbily dressed

https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/045/505/962/small/polina-kupriyanova-jollakotturin2.jpg

Huge news. I have actual pics and videos of the krampusse tonight in Bavaria courtesy of my godbrother.

Now I have to figure out how to upload pics and vids these days oof.

Please work

https://i.ibb.co/JR7Crr9/Screenshot-20241205-192104-2.png

https://i.ibb.co/6RGV8y1/Screenshot-20241205-192107-2.png

https://i.ibb.co/4dMfc9M/Screenshot-20241205-192153-2.png

https://i.ibb.co/4dMfc9M/Screenshot-20241205-192153-2.png

Oops

https://i.ibb.co/N9G8VL2/Screenshot-20241205-192916.png
wonder woman 77 cancelled

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81+08kO11iL._SL1500_.jpg

i am once again praising yule cat

https://131645280.cdn6.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/1/6/131645280/s738123187464568845_p139_i1_w902.jpeg