Beware the Krampus!

Photo I took at AdventFest in Austria of Krampus

Studying abroad in Austria presented many cultural challenges and unique experiences along the way, making it one of the most memorable times of my life.

Forever engraved in my mind however when reflecting upon the Advent Season will be the much feared Krampus.  What is a Krampus you ask?  All of us American students were wondering the same thing and our reactions were surely the highlight for the Austrians at that year's AdventFest.  

Krampus are demonic characters from Germanic folklore who emerge on the eve of St. Nicholas' Feast Day purging the sin from the people by whipping them in order to prepare them properly for Christmas!  This was certainly not the way any of us Americans had ever "prepared" for Christmas before.  And might I add that some people think confession is a hard preparation.

So there we were at the Advent Festival, enjoying the Austrian sausage and spiced cider in the bitter cold of the Austrian Alps as the snow fell.  Suddenly an announcement was made that the gates of hell were opening and a red light shone as a smoke machine kicked into full gear.  Hoping I would never be present when the gates of hell opened, there was nothing to do but watch.  

One by one, large beastly characters started to run through the gate; red eyes glowing, covered in real animal hair.  Many of us screamed at the sight of them but stuck around to see the production...that was, until they got close enough to us.  It turned out that these Krampus were not just there for looks and as they approached us, they actually whipped us with leather whips that carried quite a sting.  The ones who ran got chased with even greater pursuit by the Krampus, who apparently had amazing dexterity in those over-sized costumes.   

It turns out that the competition to prepare the best Krampus costume is quite competitive and many participants spend all year making theirs spectacular.  Real animal hair, teeth, and parts are used.  Red eyes that actually glow are crafted.  Bells are attached as warning, and whips are fashioned out of leather and chains.

This Germanic cultural gem caught myself and the other students studying abroad quite by surprise, but has become a favorite memory of our overseas travel.  The Krampus have seemed to slowly catch on in other countries as well, and mention of them even occasionally presents itself in the U.S. during the Advent Season.