In Bavaria, Krampus Catches the Naughty | The New York Times

A centuries-old Christmas tradition called the Krampus Run returns to Bavaria where monsters roam the streets in search of bad children.

Produced by: Erik Olsen

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In Bavaria, Krampus Catches the Naughty | The New York Times

[community]

As an adult I'm intrigued with this tradition.  But as a child I would have been quite frightened of these demon-like creatures.

[Boondock]

I'll be dressing up as Krampus for a Xmas party tomorrow. Having lived in Bayern back in the 80s I'm stoked to help out with this tradition.

[halaheleu]

Love this Krampus guy...He gets back to the true meaning of Christmas..

[LovleyLemonade]

Remember being scared of the mall Santa? Imagine this thing as a kid.

[ingenear]

The mask carver interviewed is from Austria (Großarl). This tradition is very alive in all of Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol and neighbouring countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Also, why does the report say that this tradition has been 'revived'? It has always been in use and never been forgotten.

[madeleinehague]

Good for you, no plastic. The world is drowning in plastic!

[gabunnie]

I'm so glad that forgotten handicrafts and traditions are coming back. Very cool tradition to rejuvenate! Beautiful hand work, Dude!

[j.d.buchanan]

I love Krampus, he's so weird and cool. Just got myself a Krampus Christmas jumper.

[shararehali]

Wow!! This is great! What excellent masks and fur costumes! The differences compared to plastic and fake fur are so noticeable.

[luckyninja]

Well there's Krampus, then there are the Perchten which are different, commonly though you can tell the difference as typical Krampus carries a sack on his back, to carry the misbehaving children in.

[ScttPrian]

this is the best thing I've discovered this season.

[HeidiB]

Also, die masken sind ja super toll gemacht!! Prima!! Ich bin einfach sprachloss~ wie toll sie sind!!!

[classiclistener]

AWESOME! What great masks and costumes...I love it! :)

The closest I've ever come to this is at haunted hay rides when actors taunt the patrons and throw green slime - a lot of fun, too! :)

[Jack-rkjc]

If Christmas is scary for children over there, imagine what Halloween is like lol

[DjTomcraft]

You ppl. from the USA are afraid of Clowns? Then come to Austria or Germany and get a little bit more scared ;) :D

[jonrichards]

Krampus has roots in Norse Mythology and German Paganism. One side of the story states that when a child has been extra naughty, Saint Nickolas would send Krampus to punish instead of reward. Krampus was never a demon, it wasn't until Christians put chains to myth to tie Krampus to satan. Krampus would come and punish children by wiping them with birch branches or horse hair and those who have been extra naughty will be kidnapped by Krampus and taken into the underworld for a duration of one year before being able to return home to their families. The meaning behind the fable is to scare children into behaving so they can be rewarded by Saint Nickolas.

[jaicotterill]

Those masks are beautiful, horrifying but beautifully carved

[rustymotor]

This is amazing! Great to see traditions and culture is alive and well, this is the true spirit of Christmas!

[ObliviousWillow]

Krampus can be found in northern Italy, Slovenja and Hungary as well. E.g. in Tarvisio they protect San Nicolò' candy by hitting with a long wood bundle the childrens who attempt to take them.

[lukepeterson]

krampus is very interesting to me

It's so strange but yet so interesting