Speaking Volumes: You know about Santa, but what about Krampus and other Christmas traditions?

Most know the story of Santa Claus, the jolly man with the white beard and red suit who travels the world on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to all the children who have been good that year.

But do you know where the story comes from? Have you ever heard of some of the other characters that travel with him, like Krampus, the anti-Santa?

Half-goat, half-demon, with a furry black body, curled horns, and fangs, Krampus punishes naughty children just as Santa rewards the good.

The creature was born out of myths from European countries like Germany and Austria. The name originates from the German word krampen meaning “claw” and the beast is thought to be the child of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld.

Traditionally, Krampus travels on the night of December 5, with St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. While St. Nicholas is busy putting candy in the shoes of good children and leaving twigs for the bad, Krampus takes things a bit further and punishes the naughty kids by beating them with birch branches and even taking some back to his lair to be eaten.

Traditions done today to celebrate Krampus include the annual Krampus Parade known as Perchtenlauf or Klaubaufe. Men dressed as Krampus roam the streets chasing parade goers and poking them with sticks.

St. Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Bari or Nicholas of Myra, was the patron saint of children, sailors, students and many others. His popularity and devotion came from his reputation for kindness and resulted in many legends of miracles he was thought to have performed.

After the Reformation in the 16th century nearly all devotion to him in European countries ceased except for in Holland where they referred to him as Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas was brought to the American colonies by Dutch colonists and the English speakers began referring to him as Santa Claus.

The legend of St. Nick was combined with other old folktales of similar characters and the result is the Santa Claus we know today who punishes bad children with a lump of coal and rewards the good with toys.

Stop by the library to learn more about Krampus and St. Nicholas by checking out the following items:

▪ Dive deeper into the life and accomplishments of St. Nicholas and learn more about how he became known as Santa Claus with the biography Saint Nicholas: Life and Legend by Martin Ebon.

▪ Share these traditions, legends and histories with your kids by reading Krampus by Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan, The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi, Santa Who? by Gail Gibbons, or ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, or Account of a visit from St. Nicholas illustrated by Matt Tavares.

▪ Check out Hoopla for a documentary on St. Nick called Saint Nicholas: The Real Story, or try a non-traditional holiday movie night with Krampus Unleashed. Also found on Hoopla are the first five issues of Krampus the comic book.

Call your local branch for more information on available titles.

▪ Central Library — 941-748-5555;

▪ Braden River — 941-727-6079;

▪ Island — 941-778-6341;

▪ Palmetto — 941-722-3333;

▪ Rocky Bluff — 941-723-4821;

▪ South Manatee — 941-755-3892.

You also can access the library via the internet at mymanatee.org/library.

Sylva Osbourne is librarian at the Central Library in downtown Bradenton. Speaking Volumes, written by Manatee County Public Library System staff members, is published each Sunday in the Bradenton Herald.