Krampus tradition in Austria

 I have recently seen a video on Youtube that is about Christoph Waltz talking to Jimmy Fallon about the Krampus tradition in Austria.  That's why I want to talk to you about this topic.

 

Here's the Video:

 

 



 

For anyone who doesn't know what a Krampus is:

Krampus appears in many variations, most share some common physical characteristics. He is hairy, usually brown or black, and has the cloven hooves and horns of a goat. Krampus carries chains, thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church. He thrashes the chains for dramatic effect. The chains are sometimes accompanied with bells of various sizes.  He also carries bundles of birch branches.

 

Traditionally, St. Nikolaus is always accompanied by Krampus. Nikolaus gives presents to the well-behaved kids, whereas Krampus frightens or even punishes the naughty ones. When I was younger Nikolaus and Krampus sometimes came to our house on the 6^th of December, fortunately I always got presents from Nikolaus. Another part of the tradition are Krampusläufe (Krampus runs), where big groups of Krampal – as we call them in the area I live in -  run through the town to show off their scary masks and do a show. This aspect of the tradition I like because it’s exciting to watch. After that there is a free run, where barriers are taken away and Krampal run around scaring or whipping people. That is the part that bothers me because sometimes theses events get quite brutal. Some of these guys who dress up as the hairy monsters tend to get ridiculously drunk before the Krampuslauf. Then during the event they abuse the power and anonymity they get with their masks on and sometimes seriously hurt people with their whips. I am not saying that is how it is everywhere, but I have experienced it that way. Especially young people love the adrenaline rush they get when they are chased by Krampal, even I kind of enjoyed it when I was younger, but the older I get the more dangerous I find these events. I know it is an old tradition in Austria, but it would be way more fun – for me at least – if I didn’t have to be so terrified of them.