Belgium and Holland's Black Peter
Ruprecht, Schmutzlis, Krampus, Housecker, Pere Fouettard, and St. Nick's other helpers
Apr 14, 2006 Katrien Vander Straeten
In Belgium and the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas is accompanied by one or more helpers, all called Zwarte Piet, or "Black Peter". Black Peter is usually a white man dressed up as a 16th century Spanish Moorish page boy: velvet bodice, white puffy shirt and white ruffled collar, puffed short trousers and stockings, and a velvet beret with a feather.
Here's the thing: his face and hands are painted black. Some will point out that he is the one climbing up and down the chimneys delivering the presents, or that he is one of the three wise men. A more realistic tale is that of a 4th century Turkish orphan who received help from the historical Nicholas and out of gratitude helps out his benefactor in turn. To the Dutch people his darker complexion seemed black.
More disturbing is the 19th century recreation of Black Peter as a Moor whom the good Christian Saint met in Spain and took as helper, servant, or slave. The costume Black Peter wears today suggests the colonial image of a black slave, and he is sometimes unashamedly depicted as a golliwog figure. There is no racial bias or intent in the merrymaking of Belgian and Dutch kids today. Still, as long as Black Peter accompanies his white master he will generate discussions about racism and colonialism.
Further complicating the issue is Black Peter's other dark side, for he is the one who executes any punishments Sinterklaas might judge in order. He shares this aspect with the company Saint Nicholas keeps in other countries. These associates range from mildly threatening to serial-child-killer kind of evil.
In Germany, Sankt Nicolaus is helped by a rather dull farm hand named Ruprecht. In German-speaking Switzerland, Samichlaus is joined by two Schmutzlis, also servants in brown hooded cloaks.
More sinister is Housecker, who carries a bag of switches in Luxembourg. In Austria, Hungary and Croatia, the Saint is attended by a frightening devil figure: Krampus. Krampus is dressed in fur, wears a scary mask over his face, sticks out a long red tongue, and is often in chains. He carries a wooden stick or switches with which he threatens misbehaved children. In Czechoslovakia, the Saint simply brings a devil along.
The most frightening is the French Pere Fouettard. The legend goes that three children wandered away and got lost. An evil butcher lured them into his shop, murdered them and then salted them in a large barrel. A Christian man called Nicholas found them and miraculously brought them back to life, thus earning his title of protector of children. Pere Fouettard represents the evil butcher, for ever doomed to be chained and dragged around in shame.
None of this sheds any light on the real story of Saint Nicolas. For that, read here.
Related articles:
- Read an American's reaction to Black Peter
- Saint Nicholas in Belgium?
- Will the real Siant Nicholas please rise?
- Santa Claus Go Home!
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