What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: With the Christmas season upon us, the anticipation of Santa Claus’s arrival fills the air. However, amid the eagerness for the jolly old man in the red suit, a not-so-friendly figure hides in the shadows—Belsnickel. This German counterpart to Santa Claus emerges from the folklore of the Palatinate region in southwestern Germany, known by various names such as “Kriskinkle,” “Beltznickle,” “Pelsnichol” and even the “Christmas woman” due to occasional feminine clothing.
Belsnickel, with roots tracing back to the Palatinate region in southwestern Germany. The very name “Belsnickel” is a fusion of the German words “bels” meaning fur and “nickel” referring to St. Nicholas.
Within German folklore, Belsnickel assumes a rather terrifying appearance, featuring a face smeared with charcoal and clad in ragged and soiled attire. Penn Live further elaborates on his distinct wardrobe, noting that Belsnickel embellishes himself with foliage, fur cloaks, hats, and even deer antlers while wielding a switch.
Despite the stark contrast in appearance, the legend of Belsnickel, with his unsettling features, diverges from the familiar image of the jolly and well-dressed Santa Claus. Nevertheless, this German mythological figure shares a common thread with Santa in the sense that he plays a somewhat analogous role, albeit with a unique and eerie demeanour, in the age-old narrative of assessing children’s behaviour during the Christmas season.
Belsnickel’s unconventional approach involves visiting houses a week or two before Christmas, forsaking the chimney for a window-rapping announcement with his switch, creating an unusual and somewhat unsettling atmosphere. Inside, Belsnickel transforms the festive setting into a serious examination, questioning children sternly about their conduct and even requiring them to recite passages from the Bible.
The peculiar encounter takes an unexpected turn when Belsnickel, maintaining his idiosyncratic character, scatters cakes, candies, and nuts on the floor. This seemingly festive act becomes a test of self-restraint for children, as they risk a swat from Belsnickel’s switch if they yield to the allure of greed and scramble for the treats.
The culmination of this curious ritual determines the children’s fate, with those successfully convincing Belsnickel of their goodness receiving a festive reward, while those falling short face the ominous consequence of a swat with the judge’s switch, imparting a sombre note to the holiday season.
Belsnickel, with his peculiar traditions, enjoys enduring popularity in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. The character has transcended geographical boundaries, making a transatlantic journey when German immigrants relocated to America, carrying their rich tradition of Belsnickel with them. These immigrants, who predominantly settled in the US’ Pennsylvania, became widely recognised as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Since their arrival, Belsnickel has continued to maintain a strong presence in the region, where he makes festive visits to children throughout December, faithfully upholding his distinctive yuletide responsibilities.
