Krampus: Origins of the Yuletide Monster | Monstrum

You better watch out, you better not cry, and you certainly must behave—or else face the brutal beating of the Krampus. Why does this demonic, horned Yuletide monster exist? This episode looks at the historical origins of Krampus in the winter festivals of the Alpine region, challenging the false claim that this monster came from pagan tradition, and traces its renewed popularity across the globe. #Krampus #Christmas #folklore #MonstrumPBS

Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Illustrator: Samuel Allen
Editor: Nicole Kopren
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.

The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.

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Bibliography
Anderson, Rona L. "Nothing to Fear from Krampus." Edmonton Journal, Dec 18, 2015.

Brinskelle, Petra, et al. “The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas—Full-Thickness Contact Alkali Burn With Soot, Milking Grease and Baby Oil.” Journal of Burn Care & Research, vol. 40, no. 1, 2019, pp. 140–42.

Hutcheson, Cory Thomas. “The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil.” Western Folklore, vol. 76, no. 3, 2017, pp. 370–73.

Kogan, Rick. "Chicago, do You Believe in Krampus?: Chicago Designer is Credited with its Presence in US." Chicago Tribune, Nov 24, 2019, pp. 6.

Kürti, László. “‘Do You Want to Be Krampus?’ Santa Claus, Globality and Locality of Christmas Tradition.” Hungarian Studies Yearbook, vol. 2, no. 1, 2020, pp. 123–43.
Rest, Matthäus, and Gertraud Seiser. “The Krampus in Austria: a case of booming identity politics.” EthnoScripts: Zeitschrift fur aktuelle ethnologische Studien, 20(1), 2018, pp. 33–57.

Ridenour, Al. The Krampus and the Old Dark, Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil. Feral House, 2016.

Tikkanen, Amy. “Krampus.” Britannica Academic.

[lmr]

I grew up in a village in the alpine region of southern Bavaria. As kids, on the evening of the 5th of december, we would always be visited by Saint Nicholas, who carried with him a golden book from which he read about when we were good and we were naughty. He always gave us a sack with sweets and fruits, but if he read about naughty deeds we did, the dark and silent man accompanying him would ring his heavy bells and rattle with his wooden sticks. This man was of course Krampus. We were told that if we behaved naughtily, Krampus would beat us, put us in his sack and carry us to the forest. As a kid I was naturally terrified by him, but looking back now, I think it's a nice tradition that I'm proud of having in my culture.

[wimvanderstraeten]

Krampus is a good excuse to keep the Halloween spirit alive during the yuletide season.

[belltaco]

Really nice to see some representation of my home countries "monsters". Just one thing to add: Krampus runs aren't people dressed as Krampus but dressed as Perchten. Which ist more of an overarching species which the one Krampus is one individual of.

Greetings from Austria! 🇦🇹💞

[robertkent]

"Death metal version of Santa."

Gotta love it

[sheren_b]

the was so fun and informative and anytime scooby doo mystery incorporated gets a reference is a good time. also i love the pbs survey every year especially the pitches for new show!

[kaynide]

Just a fun note: In Japan we have a tradition from the north called "Namahage" (生剥) which literally would be the character "Raw" and "Peel" or "Peeled". The tradition is very similar to Krampus without any Christmas connection, likely brought from settlers coming from Russia.

It is celebrated during the old New Year (So February). Otherwise the similarities are rather striking!

Small world, huh?

[Outrageousfirevulture]

*"And as he had for thousands of years, Krampus came not to reward, but to punish, not to give, but to take."*

[blauesserpiroyal]

The clanging of cowbells and the roaring of Krampus on St. Nicholas day belongs here to the christmas mood like the christmas tree.
Just one thing: At least here Krampus are specifically the creatures that come with st. nicholas, the others are known as "Perchten" or more specifically "Schirchperchten", which are around until the end of the "Rauhnächte"

[katmartindale]

My mother was a highschool German teacher so I learned about German traditions early on. From advent calenders lining the bedroom hallway to Saint Nicholas Day and stories of Krampus, this was a small part of December in my childhood. I'm glad others are discovering these things too.

[Simon-npbt]

I've been waiting for this episode! You described it so accurately, "usually drunken people dressed as Krampus chasing the unlucky ones". Usually in villages and towns people dressed as Krampus are welcomed by some people and they invite them into their house (of course together with st. Nicholas and sometimes angels) to scare children and then Nicholas tells Krampus (or Krampuses) to stop scarying nice children. The children get presents and people dressed as Krampus and Nicholas get a shot of schnapps afterwards. And yes they sometimes do hit people or at least they did till 10 years ago when I was a kid. This usually happens in villages where teenagers get together and provoke people dressed as Krampus to chase them with chains and ropes etc. Krampus people in cities and town parades however don't hit people, maybe just shake them and command them to kneel and pray or something like that. Its a fun and scary tradition. I was always scared to death when they chased us. I remember the revelation as a kid when you realize they are just people dressed as Krampus and not the actual demons.
Regards from Slovenia

[dannycove]

I've spent years trying to get my wife onboard with doing "Krampus in the Closet" as opposed to "Elf on the Shelf." So far I have been unsuccessful. Surprising given she's a German teacher.

[PunkExMachina]

I absolutely love this episode. This channels feels so cozy like I’m being told a dark tale at night in front of a fireplace lol. Also that Mystery Incorporated reference is the cherry on top *chef’s kiss*

[philipibaugh]

Krampus is metal as hell I'd imagine he likes black metal lol. Great episode 👏 love the history and how it got twisted a little from traditional.

[janeyrevanescence]

Speaking of Perchten, you should really cover Frau Perchten, the Epiphany Witch aka the Belly Slitter. She usually comes out on Epiphany Eve to see who has completed their chores (usually spinning), who has lied, who worked too hard (believe it or not) or who has eaten meat on Epiphany Eve (January 5th or the 11th Day of the Christmas Season). If you make her mad, she supposedly cuts your belly open and stuffs you full of rocks and straw. Now that character I know for a fact has connections to Mother Holle, a pagan goddess who eventually became the star of one of the Brother's Grimm Fairy Tales "Mother Holle".

[bananapuding]

i'm part slovene and my family has strong traditions when it comes to saint nicholas' day, we usually make two sets of cookies- one who are meant for the "well behaved"- which are edible and decorated with glaze and the others which are meant for the "bad kids"- these are purposefully burnt.

[Zualio]

In middle and northern Germany, we have Knecht Ruprecht as the bad boy companion to St. Nicholas. He is more human-like, but also throws naughty children into his sack and hits them with a switch of birch 😅. It is fun playing him.

PS: In the German dub of The Simpsons, their dog (Santa's little helper) is translated as Knecht Ruprecht 😁

[RogueAce]

Great work as always, Dr. Zarka! I love how the story of Krampus tends to be a peculiar mix of the holidays and the macabre!!

[kaceeeddinger]

We share fun facts at a morning staff meeting where we review what's happening in my library district for the day. It was my turn the other day, and I shared about Krampus, since he's one of my favorite holiday figures and everyone was delighted to learn about him. I was even more delighted to see this come up today! Thank you for sharing!

[turbobus]

4:36 Krampus is absolutely still linked to St. Nicholas and usually arrives on December 5th (Krampus day) or December 6th (St. Nicholas day) or around those dates, definitely not the 24th/25th. (At least here in Austria.)

[RhondaKL]

My mother was born and raised in Austria, and told my brother and I that one year, when she was a child, Krampus picked her up and put her in his basket, carrying her for a while. She was devastated until he revealed himself to be her favourite Uncle Erik! She said it was one of her fondest memories, though at the time she was so upset!