06/12/2021
Happy Saint Nicholas day!!!
As you may know, Samba.ai is originally a Czech app, and the Czech Republic can pride itself on a plethora of very unique and somewhat disturbing traditions. One of them is the celebration of St. Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus in the US and other parts of the world) that takes place yesterday, on December 5, a day before the official St. Nicholas Day which is on December 6. Get it? ;)
Instead of being a sleigh rider and a chimney climber, the Czech Santa is more of a kids evaluator. Every year at night between 5th and 6 th December, this St. Nicholas puts on his high hat marked with a cross, grabs a long shiny staff, and calls in his suite - a devilish figure known as Krampus in the Germanic nations, an Angel, and sometimes, a Grim Reaper.
Together, they roam door to door looking for kids to judge. Once the children open the door, the horror begins. From my personal experience, I can tell you that the devilish figure can lead to a life-long PSTD.
For a few moments, the devil yells like a goat, making noises with his metal chains, stomping his hoof like crazy, until St. Nicholas puts an end to it and asks the kids' parents whether they were good. If the answer is yes, the children have to recite a short poem or sing a song. After that, Nicholas or the Angel hands them a sack of sweets. Only the naughty kids receive a piece of coal or a potato. Oh, the shame….
Do you think that this tradition is weird? Look up what we do for Easter in this country.
If you’re interested, we can add a bit more about the peculiar holidays we have here at the very heart of Europe! Let us know in the comments!