Magic and Legends of Old Chrstimas, a 12 part YouTube series by Benito Cereno
The Krampus has become a big folkloric figure at Christmas time in recent years. But less discussed and of equal interest are the female figures of the Perchten from the alpine regions. On this, the final episode of Season 3 of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman redresses the balance in an interview with alpine folklore expert Al Ridenour, the creator of the Bone and Sickle podcast.
One version of the German Santa is known as the “Belsnickel”. He is stern, usually dressed in furs. Like Wee Willy Winky in Scotland, German parents say, “The Belsnickel is coming, you better be good.” The Belsnickel is thought to whip children. Like other vindictive Santas, he can gift lumps of coal instead of candy.