Krampus

Krampus Salzburg with bishop and angel.jpg (90 KB)

Krampus.jpg (88 KB)

Every year on the 5th of December, there is this tradition that Austrians and people of other Germanic countries like to follow. Volunteers dress up as what we call, a Krampus [spelled Krampusz] which is also known as the Companions of Saint Nicholas.
“They wear goat-hair costumes and carved masks, carrying bundles of sticks used as switches, and swinging cowbells to warn of their approach. They are typically young men in their teens and early twenties and are generally intoxicated. They roam the streets of small quiet towns and hit people with their switches. It is not considered wise for young women to go out on this night, as they are popular targets.”
In my hometown, they sometimes even force you to get down on your knees and say a prayer.

I think I’m staying home tonight.


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    ack

    Hah! You rock!

    My girlfriend forgot about Nikolaustag this year – so I filled her boots with dirt and left her a switch and a picture of Krampus.

    She was a bit pissed off – but hey, Krampus acts in mysterious ways.

    In B-W he is more commonly called Knecht Ruprecht, and is a bit less demonic. Krampus is much better.

    natedog

    Organized Raep FTW

    flintlocke

    Saw this once in Munich. Took a good bit of explaining, but it’s actually kinda cool. Christmas terror!

    MonkeyHitman

    i’m sorry but any motherfucker who tries to hit me i’m going chuck norris on them.. with my spiked baseball bat http://www.freewebs.com/1428crystallake/bat2.jpg

    bright green

    This should happen worldwide.

    MonkeyHitman

    hmm i change my mind im going to drop on a jason outfit… then i want to see who’s gonna hit someone

    Phyreblade

    Don’t forget your goat leggings!!

    nyoki

    Why are the companions of St. Nicholas roaming the street w/ switches hitting people and worse?

    dieAntagonista

    nyokki: Haha it’s like punishing the people that didn’t behave well? But of course they’re targeting them by coincidence so there is really no point to it.

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