What we are in the Alps doing at christmas time

[Saint Germain]

The central and eastern Alps of Europe are rich in traditions dating back to pre-Christian (pagan) times, with surviving elements amalgamated from Germanic, Gaulish (Gallo-Roman) and Raetian culture.

Ancient customs survived in the rural parts of Austria, Switzerland, Bavaria, Slovenia, western Croatia and Italy in the form of dance, art, processions, rituals and games. The high regional diversity is a result of the mutual isolation of Alpine communities. In the Alps, the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and paganism has been an ambivalent one. While some customs survived only in the remote valleys inaccessible to the church's influence, other customs were actively assimilated over the centuries. In light of the dwindling rural population of the Alps, many customs have evolved into more modern interpretations.

Krampus

The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine regions the Krampus is represented by an incubus in company of Saint Nicholas. 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 adults) with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas the tradition also includes slight birching by the Krampus, especially of young females.

The present day Krampus costume consists of wooden masks or Larve, sheep's skin and horns. Considerable effort goes into the manufacture of the hand-crafted masks, as many younger adults in rural communities engage competitively in the Krampus events.

In Oberstdorf, in the southwestern alpine part of Bavaria, the tradition of the "Wilde Mann" (wild man) is kept alive. He is described exactly like Krampus (except the horns), dressed in fur and frightening children (and adults) with rusty chains and bells.

Perchten

Originally, the word Perchten (plural of Perchta) referred to the female masks representing the entourage of Frau Perchta or Pehta baba as is known in Slovenia, an ancient goddess (some claim a connection to the nordic goddess Freyja, though this is uncertain). Traditionally, the masks were displayed in processions (Perchtenlauf) during the last week of December and first week of January, and particularly on 6 January. The costume consists of a brown wooden mask and brown or white sheep's skin. In recent times Krampus and Perchten have increasingly been displayed in a single event, leading to a loss of distinction of the two. Perchten are associated with midwinter and the embodiment of fate and the souls of the dead. The name originates from the Old High German word peraht, or brilliant, meant as a warning against the sin of vanity.

Regional variations of the name include Berigl, Berchtlmuada, Berchta, Pehta, Perhta-Baba, Zlobna Pehta, Bechtrababa, Sampa, Stampa, Lutzl, Zamperin, Pudelfrau, Zampermuatta and Rauweib. The Roman Catholic Church attempted to prohibit the sometimes rampant practise in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries but later condoned it, resulting in a revival.

[Ice Queen (1)]

Running around in elaborate costumes frightening children sounds like a blast! Great costumes, masks, and make-up.

How sick am I? After wards, I am thinking of some role playing scenarios and x-rated performance type partying going on.

What a way to start my day, imagining such things. It will be interesting tonight at CC after St. Germain has got me so stimulated this early on in the day.

[Destroit]

That's awesome, reminds me why Germans rule so damn much . I knew about the tradition slightly, but didn't know that it went to that extent, those costumes are really cool. If I ran into that walking home on a snowy night flailing chains around I'd probably shit myself and then kick him out of reaction .

[jynxxxedangel]

If someone dressed up like that jumped out at me, and I didn't know about the custom, they would probably get round-housed.

[TomCat]

If someone dressed up like that jumped out at me, and I didn't know about the custom, they would probably get round-housed.

...lol. was thinking if someone jumped out atme like that, that a chop to the "esoph" may be in order.

[Destroit]

I'm surprised that none of the people that dressed up like demons have been seriously injured or killed by some drunkard walking home late at night, and mistaking the costumed person for a real demon. I mean hell, I reiterate, if I had something coming at me with chains...swift kick to the balls.

[TomCat]

I'm surprised that none of the people that dressed up like demons have been seriously injured or killed by some drunkard walking home late at night, and mistaking the costumed person for a real demon. I mean hell, I reiterate, if I had something coming at me with chains...swift kick to the balls.

ROTFL ...swift kick to the balls...

[Brenda Starrr]

...lol. was thinking if someone jumped out atme like that, that a chop to the "esoph" may be in order.

I might poop myself.

[jynxxxedangel]

Just imagine if derCrampus popped out at this guy!

..or

target="_blank guy!

[Head Wreck]

culturaly thier propably more use to it so the costumer isnt as high risk as the anal-probe/sasquatch fantasising yanks.

personlay my view is

HOW COOL IS THAT! WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THOSE COSTUMES

[jynxxxedangel]

Here's a nice "Krampus" page. Check out some of these great images! The child's Christmas card art project towards the end is the best!

[Head Wreck]

they read my mind dammit

[Destroit]

culturaly thier propably more use to it so the costumer isnt as high risk as the anal-probe/sasquatch fantasising yanks.

personlay my view is

HOW COOL IS THAT! WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THOSE COSTUMES

Makin' fun of our aliens and missing links? You're just jealous, I dare you to come over here and say that to our faces!

[Head Wreck]

cher i will, and once more i will throw all your coffee in the boston river!

[Destroit]

cher i will, and once more i will throw all your coffee in the boston river!

Well...FINE. I'll come over there and throw all your crumpets into the Atlantic! I was...uhmm going to say tea, but that was already done the last time we pwned. You guys with yer freakin' tea and drive-by arguements!

[Head Wreck]

actually the americans had never won a conflict against the british from a historical stance

[Destroit]

actually the americans had never won a conflict against the british from a historical stance

We're like France, we did because we say so! *crosses arms and stomps foot*

Fiiiiine...we did win a conflict against all your tea even if it wasn't Britain directly...

ALL YOUR TEA ARE BELONG TO US!

[Simon Bar Sinister]

Running around in elaborate costumes frightening children sounds like a blast! Great costumes, masks, and make-up.

How sick am I? After wards, I am thinking of some role playing scenarios and x-rated performance type partying going on.

Well, it is in Germany, after all.

[jynxxxedangel]

Well...FINE. I'll come over there and throw all your crumpets into the Atlantic! I was...uhmm going to say tea, but that was already done the last time we pwned. You guys with yer freakin' tea and drive-by arguements!

If you were to threaten his Battenburg, you just might get him angry enough to swim..

[Head Wreck]

dont give her ideas! or is this part of a conspiracy for me tome down there and repeat what happned in 1812 when a load of welsh took detroit in a day!

[Destroit]

dont give her ideas! or is this part of a conspiracy for me tome down there and repeat what happned in 1812 when a load of welsh took detroit in a day!

Never happened, the welsh invaded and Detroit literally ate them. Not the citizens of Detroit, just the city itself ate them all because that's how we roll in these parts.

ALL YOUR WELSH ARE BELONG TO US.

[jynxxxedangel]

Found a couple of great videos!!

These guys are really good actors!

St. Nikolaus and Krampus In Wagrain

St. Nikolaus and His Krampus'

[Goth Brooks]

In some rural areas the tradition also includes slight birching by the Krampus, especially of young females.

I'm sold.