Krampus is Coming to Town

Actors dressed as “Krampus” figures present a show of a traditional custom in Kaplice, South Bohemia, on December 12, 2015. The “Krampus” figures, who belong to a centuries old custom common in the Christmas season, traditionally are known as creatures who punish children that misbehaved. (Photo by Michal Cizek/AFP Photo)

Actors dressed as “Krampus” figures present a show of a traditional custom in Kaplice, South Bohemia, on December 12, 2015. (Photo by Michal Cizek/AFP Photo)

Participants dressed as the Krampus creatures walk the streets during Krampus gathering on December 12, 2015 in Kaplice, Czech Republic. Krampus, also called Tuifl or Perchten, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades the western Austrian region of Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. In the last few years, Czech towns, placed on the border with Austria, invite Austrian Krampus groups into towns for parades as a new tradition during Advent. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

A participant dressed as the Krampus creature approaches onlookers during Krampus gathering on December 12, 2015 in Kaplice, Czech Republic. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

Participants dressed as Krampus walk at the street during Krampus gathering on November 26, 2016 in Zidlochovice (at Brno), Czech Republic. (Photo by Lukas Kabon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A devil character seen running in the centre of Graz, Austria on December 3, 2017. Around December 6th, St. Nicolas Day, people dress up as devils run through streets of towns and villages in Austria. They seem like if they jumped out from a horror movie. Or from the hell. They are dressed in animal skins, have horns, strange instruments to scary people. Their faces are turned into nasty grins. They are covered with blood and scars and their long teeth dangle out of their mouths. Special tradition of a devil characters named “krampus” and “percht” who are coming with the St. Nicolas to punish bad people was born in remote valleys of Alp mountains hundreds years ago. Long winter nights were full of monsters. But at the end, krampus and percht were not just negative characters. They came to punish everything bad and prepare people for a new start. All the negative things in the village should be forgotten after krampus night. Until now, people dress animal skins and wooden masks to run and scare the audience. They are accompanied by pyrotechnic and light effects and hard music. They keep the tradition clear: no plastic. No Hollywood. Just wooden masks are allowed. Masks cost between 600 to 1200 euro each. Plus horns, animal skin for clothes and special shoes. Some groups come with strange vehicles. They prepare new performance each year. (Photo by Jana Cavojska/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A devil character seen running in the centre of Graz, Austria on December 3, 2017. (Photo by Jana Cavojska/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Participants take part in the Whitby Krampus parade on December 2, 2017 in Whitby, England. The Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure from Austro-Bavarian Alpine folklore who during the Christmas season punished children who had misbehaved. The event held in Whitby helps to raise money for the Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary charity. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Participants take part in the Whitby Krampus parade on December 2, 2017 in Whitby, England. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

A man dressed as a devil attends a Krampus show, the traditional parade where people in costumes and masks perform an old ritual to disperse the ghosts of winter, in Schladming, Austria, November 25, 2017. (Photo by Leonhard Foeger/Reuters)

A participant dressed as a “Krampus” creature walks during “The Hike of the Krampus of Three Lands” in Podkoren, Slovenia on November 24, 2017. (Photo by Jure Makovec/AFP Photo)

A participant dressed as a “Krampus” creature rides a motorcycle in a parade during “The Hike of the Krampus of Three Lands” in the centre of Podkoren, Slovenia on November 24, 2017. (Photo by Jure Makovec/AFP Photo)

A man dressed as a devil performs during a Krampus parade in Kaprun, Austria on December 5, 2017. Krampus is a mythical creature that, according to legend, accompanies Saint Nicholas during the festive season. Instead of giving gifts to good children, he punishes the bad ones. (Photo by APA-PictureDesk GmbH/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A participant performs during a procession of “Krampus” monsters in Schwadorf, Austria on November 24, 2017 Krampus is traditionally the evil sidekick of Santa, sent to frighten naughty children and “evil spirits” in the run- up for Christmas. (Photo by Alex Halada/AFP Photo)

09 Dec 2017 02:20:00, post received 0 comments