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| Nikolaus Weidemann Wieland |
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The Germanic Conference
In the German-speaking countries, and Holland and Belgium as well, December 6th is the most distinctive children's festival of the year. St. Nikolaus Eve is a time of festive stir; it is a time of whispers and giggles, and of heavy steps on the stairs. Before children go to sleep they will place a bowl or plate under their bed, hang a stocking by the fireplace or put a pair of shoes in front of the door. The shops are full of many-shaped biscuits, gilt ginger breads, sometimes representing the saint, of sugar images, toys and other little gifts.
It is not easy to uncover the historic facts about Sankt Nikolaus, the fourth century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6, 343. In Eastern Europe, Southern Italy and among the Greeks, he is revered most of all as the patron saint of seafaring men. The Dutch changed his name, "Sint Nicolaes," to "Sinterklaas" or "Sinterclaes."
In many regions, the festivities originally attributed to the gift-giving St. Nikolaus have been transferred to Christmas, yet in Western and Southern Germany, in Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, December 6 remains a day of joy for children.
When evening comes, St. Nikolaus, a reverend gray-haired figure with flowing beard, bishop's raiment, gold embroidered cope, miter and pastoral staff, will knock on doors and enquire about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will deliver a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in German-speaking countries.
Nikolaus traditions vary as widely from region to region as his guise and name. He appears as Ruhklas, Pelznickel, Klasbur, etc. He is afoot or astride a white horse, a mule, or even a goat. More diverse than those of the saintly Nikolaus are the many legends and traditions surrounding his often wild companions. The heathen origin of all of these figures is evident although difficult to trace.
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.
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.
St. Nikolaus will also appear together with St. Peter, with an angel, or the Christchild (Christkindl). As the splendor of the candle-lit Christmas tree and emphasis on the birth of Christ 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.
Oldtimers in Indiana still remember Belsnickel, the Pelznickel (literally "Fur-Niklaus") of the Palatinate. They helped weave the legend of Santa Claus, the "jolly old elf" created by the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast.
Here are a song and a verse for St. Nikolaus:
Lasst uns froh und munter sein
Lasst uns froh und munter sein und uns in dem Herren freu'n!
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Dann stell' ich den Teller auf, Niklaus legt gewiss was
drauf!
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Wenn ich schlaf', dann trau"me ich: jetzt bringt
Niklaus was fu"r mich!
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Wenn ich aufgestanden bin, lauf' ich schnell zum Teller
hin.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Niklaus ist ein guter Mann, dem man nicht g'nug danken
kann.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Lustig, lustig, tralalalala. Bald ist Niklausabend da.
Sankt Nikolaus, leg mir ein,
was dein guter Will mag sein
Apfel, Birnen, Nuss und Kern
essen kleine Kinder gern.
Eberhard and Ruth Reichmann
Max Kade German-American Center
Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis
401 East Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317 464-9004 Office
812 988-2866 Home
317 630-0035 FAX
reichman@ucs.indiana.edu
http://www-lib.iupui.edu/kade
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