More diverse than those of the saintly Nikolaus are the many legends and traditions surrounding his often wild companions. The pagan origin of all of these figures is evident although difficult to trace.

His best known companion is Knecht Ruprecht, "Knecht" meaning servant. Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. (A famous poem by Theodor Storm features Knecht Ruprecht and his whip.)

St. Nikolaus also appears together with St. Peter, with an angel, the Christchild (Christkindl). As the splendor of the candle-lit Christmas tree and emphasis on the birth of Chris, began to shift the function of the gift-giving St. Nikolaus, Knecht Ruprecht became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

In Bavaria St. Nikolaus may be followed by the hideous Klaubauf, a shaggy monster with horns. In Lower Austria the saint is followed by a similar horned creature, called Krampus, covered with bells and dragging chains; in Styria this attendant is named Bartel.

Sometimes a female figure appears with him, usually a boy dressed up as Budelfrau in Lower Austria, Berchtel in Swabia, and Buzebergt in the neighborhood of Augsburg. Buzebergt wears black rags, has a blackened face and unkempt hair. Others are Rumpelklas, Bellzebub, Pelznickel, Hans Muff, Klaubauf, Drapp or Zwarte Peter.

Ruth Reichmann

• Search youtube for Nikolaus, Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht, etc.
• Klausentreiben by Ruth Reichmann and a related video
• Belsnickel in Indiana by Ruth Reichmann
  
  
• QUICK SKIM - Who travels with St. Nicholas? - customs around the world
  
  
• Good article about Krampus
• Images of a Krampus Run - One, Two, Three. Wild pics! Koppler Perchten
• Videos and photos of Krampuslauf one
• READ ONLY - How often, where and when does this group perform?
• READ DIRECTIONS! click Maskenaustellung on the LEFT then 2002 then scroll down to view pics #31-34
• Bauerpass - Krampus club
• Ebay Germany - how much does a Mask cost? Hand-carved wood!
• Good assortment of Krampus masks. From the Anifer Krampus club.
• Who are the kids behind the masks? Names, ages, hobbies. Try this one as well
• Perchtenlaufen with MPEG Video.
  
  
  

  Absender = you, the sender
  Empfänger = the recipient, who gets it
  Vorschau – preview
  Korrigieren – correct, edit
  Abschicken - send

  
  
  

  KRAMPUSLAUF

  KRAMPUS RUNS

• Im ganz Salzburg gibt es um den 5. Dezember Läufe. Es gibt zwei Möglichkeiten wie man im Salzburg Land den Nikolaus und seine Krampusse zu Gesicht bekommt. Die erste Möglichkeit ist wenn sie Kinder haben können sie den Nikolaus zu sich einladen. Die zweite Möglichkeit ist sie besuchen einen der Strassenläufe (Street parades: see image One, Two, Three). Dieser Brauch hat nichts mit Geistern oder Winteraustreiben zu tun sondern behandelt primär die gute Erziehnung. Artige Kinder werden belohnt und unartige kommen in den Sack und werden Mitgenommen (eventuell kennen sie die Geschichte vom Strupelpeter). Es gibt jedoch einen sehr Verwandten Brauch das Perchtenlaufen (Video). Dieser Brauch wird mit den selben Larven (Masken) durchgeführt, jedoch erst in den Rauhnächten um den 6. Jänner. Bei diesem Brauch geht es um das Vertreiben der bösen Geister bzw. des Winters. G r o s s g m a i n e r K r a m p u s s e e.V. zur Erhaltung wertvollen Brauchtums 5084 Grossgmain, Austria

  All around Salzburg there are Krampus runs around December 5th. There are two possibilities to get a glimpse of Nikolaus and his Krampusses in the Salzburg region. The first possibility is if you have children, then you can invite Nikolaus into your home. The second possibility is to visit one of the street runs or parades (see image One, Two, Three). This custom has nothing to do with spirits or driving out winter; rather it deals primarily with good upbringing and conduct. Well-behaved children are rewarded and naughty ones get put in the sack and taken along (they probably know the story of Strupelpeter). There is also another closely related custom, the Perchten run (Video). This custom is carried out with the same masks, but only in the wild nights around the sixth of January. This custom is concerned with driving out evil spirits, that is, winter. G r o s s g m a i n e r K r a m p u s s e Organization for the Preservation of Valuable Customs 5084 Grossgmain, Austria