From Iceland to Greece, goblins, gnomes and cruel villains are the main characters of the legends that represent the dark side of Christmas. Mischievous creatures, half-animal pranksters and the feared helpers of Santa Claus or St. Nicholas bring dread and trepidation to the festive season.
Goblins
The Yulemen of Iceland, the mischievous sons of the terrifying mountain troll, Gryla, traditionally descend onto the human population during the last 13 nights before Christmas. These goblins steal meat, sausages, milk and candles and play tricks as indicated by their names (Door Slammer, Sausage Pilfer, Meat Hook, Candle Beggar, etc.). They appear on consecutive days starting from 12 December until Christmas Eve. But in modern times the Yulemen are depicted as Santa Claus’ helpers who leave treats inside good children’s shoes (or potatoes if the children had been naughty).
The Kallikatzaroi of Greece are ugly hairy goblins of varying sizes, half animal and half human, with long tails and goat legs. They live under the ground and are busy all year round sawing away at the Big Tree that holds the Earth. But just as when the Tree is about to fall off, it’s Christmas season and the kallikatzaroi surface to cause mischief to the humans. They play pranks, befoul food and scare humans out of their wits until Epiphany when they return to their underground caves to find that the World Tree has healed and they have to start all over again.
Gnomes
In the Scandinavian countries, the Julenisse are friendly gnomes, only one foot high, with white beards and red pointed hats. They live in the household all year and leave gifts for the family the night before Christmas. But if they are not treated nice they can be mischievous and spiteful. The same goes for Tomte, the Swedish gnome, that is a benign creature that brings presents at Christmas, except if mistreated in which case it can turn nasty.
Santa's Helpers
In France, Pere Fouettard (or Whipping Father) is a companion of St. Nicholas and rewards naughty children at best with lumps of coal and at worst with flogging. He is said to have been a murderer of three children whom St. Nicholas consequently resurrected and forced the perpetrator to become his helper. He is depicted as an unkempt bearded man with blackened face carrying a stick or a whip. He is similar to the Dutch Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht is a sinister character that appeared in the 17th century as a companion of St. Nicholas, his main purpose being to scare children into good behaviour. According to one of many legends, children had to perform a dance in front of St. Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht and those who failed to perform appropriately Ruprecht put into his sack and either whipped or threw them in the river.
Other sinister helpers of Santa Claus that have a secular/pagan rather than a Christian connection are: Krampus in Bavaria, Austria, Croatia and Slovenia; Schumutzli in Switzerland, and Belsnickel, a clown-like creature brought to Pennsylvania by Dutch immigrants.
Further reading:
T. Herrey, The Book of Christmas, (Wordsworth Editions) 2000.
Clement A. Miles, Christmas Carols and Traditions. Their history and significance, 1976
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