I am concerned about the upcoming Krampus parade that will soon be held in the King William Neighborhood area and downtown. Krampus has become part of American popular culture following a horror movie about the creature a decade ago, and in recent years cities such as Seattle, Philadelphia, and New Orleans have been holding Krampus parades.
While these events take place in December, Krampus’ roots have nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, according to Smithsonian Magazine, they date back to pre-Germanic paganism in Eastern and Central Europe. The creatures’ name originates with the German krampen, which means “claw,” and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld, Hel. Through the centuries the Catholic Church has voiced its opposition to Krampus celebrations because of his resemblance to the devil.
It is especially troublesome that this local event is taking place on December 5, the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, and in some depictions Krampus appears in the streets with St. Nicholas, with Krampus punishing naughty children while St. Nicholas rewards the good ones.
For adults, this festival may be fun — but the graphic costumes could be particularly frightening, scary, and nightmare-inducing to youth. Instead, let us focus on the example of St. Nicholas the miracle worker, whose reputation for generosity and kindness is still revered around the world centuries later.
