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In most popular traditions, horror stories are told in which some evil being appears that frightens the kids. These stories are part of the tradition oral and have been used for the little ones to maintain good behavior. Usually the following is transmitted message: you have to behave well, otherwise the terrifying being will come to punish the minor. In the Alpine territories the character that scares children is Krampus.

He presents himself as a strange creature, half man half goat, with unkempt appearance and abundant hair.

The origin of this creature and its roots in the Christmas tradition

It is believed that this legend It is thousands of years old and comes from mythology Norse, since Krampus is the son of the god Hel. With the passage of time the character became popular in countries such as Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary.

According to other versions, this demonic being is related to the stories that were told during the Christmas period before the emergence of Christianity. At that time, the popular classes dressed up as demons during Christmas and took to the streets to ask for food and drink. In this sense, the Catholic Church tried to ban this

celebration, for he understood that there was an exaltation of a pagan demon. However, Krampus' stories and costumes became a part of the Christian Christmas party.

While Saint Nicholas is the one who gives gifts to children, Krampus is the evil creature who punishes them. According to tradition, this being beats children with birch branches and carries long chains.

A key figure in the Austrian Christmas

In Austria this festival is known by the term "Krampusnacht". It is celebrated on December 6 and the night before the children put food in their shoes and leave them outside their homes. If gifts appear on the shoes the next morning, this means that Saint Nicholas has rewarded them for their good conduct.

If instead of gifts birch branches appear, this implies that they have not behaved well and will soon be punished by the strange creature. The cruel messages of other times have been transformed into a fun celebration in which children and young people walk the streets dressed as Krampus to scare the neighbors.

Some characters that scare the little ones

As with the Halloween holiday in USA, the Krampus phenomenon has spread in different countries of central Europe. In any case, the legends and Children's Stories that speak of terrifying beings are present in different cultures.

In Spain, the character that frightens the little ones is the bogeyman, in Venezuela and Colombia the stories of the Silbón, in Mexico the terrifying being is the Coco and Bogeyman is the creature that terrorizes children in Scotland. Each one has such an ingrained presence in society that symbols of their own culture are transformed.

Photos: Fotolia - krates / Ruben

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