Calling all kids for Christmas, everyone around the world.

Calling all kids for Christmas, every little boy, and girl.~ 🎶

I often heard that song from Badanamu, as my son played it a couple of times every day. As the Ber months starting in September, we Filipinos think of Christmas is fast approaching.

When we say Christmas, what's the first thing that comes up in your mind?

Is it the presents?

The shimmering lights on your Christmas tree?

The foods to be prepared on Christmas eve?

Or is it Saint Nicholas or most popular with his name, Santa Claus?

Christmas is indeed a very cheerful time of the year. As gift-giving and love is can be felt through the cold breeze of the season. The sound and the music. Christmas was very lively to hear, and it can boost your mood in an instant. However, behind this lovely season hides a dark story. A story of the darkness during Christmas, from an unknown creature lurking during this season.

Most people know about Saint Nicholas, the generous gift-giver man during Christmas. He gives bountiful presents to the children who have been good throughout the year. However, this kind man has a counterpart, a half-goat, half-demon, lurking, and chasing children who are naughty this year. He was Krampus.

While some parents vocally and physically hurt their kids by hitting them when they were uncontrollable, I often told my son about Krampus to make him be good and avoid being naughty every time. There were instances where he was so unruly and can't be controlled which is very normal at his age of 3, I told him that Krampus will come and get him on Christmas, and he won't receive any gifts from Santa. After that, he will behave and turned into a good boy. Krampus then became my companion in disciplining my son.

Have you heard about him?

Maybe some of you have seen the movie “Krampus”. The demon during the joyful season of Christmas. Let's get to know more about this creature which gives nightmare to children at Christmas.

Aside from the main characters in Christmas, Santa Claus, Rudolph, the elves (Santa's helper), Krampus is also considered as a character to be seen during the Christmas season.

To describe him physically and visually, he looks like more of a beast or a demon. A hairy creature mostly black or brown in color bearing horns like a goat with an elongated tongue. He comes with a chain and bells along with a bundle of sticks. He carries chains, which is believed to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church. More of the stories about this beast was it chases the misbehaved youths with a stick, he is known to eat them, drown them, and transport them in a sack down to hell.

Krampusnacht

Its name was derived from the German word krampen which means claw. This legendary beast was very well-known especially in Austria and other German regions. According to their folkloric stories, Krampus is believed to shows up in towns on the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. While the following day December 6, was Saint Nicholas Day.

Krampuslauf

There's this known festivities involving the one and only Krampus in the Alpine regions. This event was held at 4 pm and in the winter. It is called Krampus run or Krampuslauf, in this activity people dressed up as the beast (Krampus) and have a parade through streets scaring and chasing audiences.

This event also involves alcohol and most of the people joining the parade were drunk men. The parade will last for 2 hours and despite cold winter weather. There are more than hundreds of horrible creatures dancing in the streets in the evening.

Let me show you this video I've seen on YouTube on how Krampuslauf was being celebrated.

Though it may be a horror experience at Christmas, I would love to add this to my travel lists. I wanna experience this loud and horrific festivity. And I can say it is very unusual especially during the joyous season of Christmas.

If you want to know more about this creature you can also add a creepy holiday-themed horror movie “Krampus” to your watchlist.

“You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry, you'd better not pout I'm telling you why Krampus gonna come and get you. For he knows if you've been bad or good.”

Christmas is a very magical and most awaited season of the year. And as it's fast approaching, people are busier preparing for this jolly season. Like Santa Claus, the kind gift-giver man gives presents and treats to good children, however, don't forget about this half-goat half-demon, that lurks, chasing the naughty ones.

So if you want gifts under your Christmas trees, avoid being naughty the whole year.

Written by: @eommaZel 🥀🖤

Source:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/12/131217-krampus-christmas-santa-devil