Sinterklaas

I was in Holland last week. One of the things that I learned while I was there is the Dutch legend of Sinterklaas (which is probably where the North American legend of Santa Claus probably comes from). The Wikipedia entry of Sinterklaas has the following description:

"Sinterklaas has a long white beard... [and] carries a big book with all the children's names in it, which states whether they have been naughty or nice in the past year..."

"Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colourful outfits, modelled after 16th century Spanish clothing. These helpers are called Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes)..."

"From about 1850, Pete was said to be an imported African servant of Saint Nicholas. Today however, a more politically correct explanation is given: Pete's face is said to be 'black from soot' (as Pete has to climb down chimneys to deliver his gifts)..."

"Sinterklaas traditionally arrives each year in November (usually on Saturday) by steamboat from Spain, and is then paraded through the streets, welcomed by cheering and singing children. Invariably, this event is broadcast live on national television in the Netherlands and Belgium...."

The way that it was explained to me, the parents make sure that their children see the television broadcast. A short time later, someone dressed up as Sinterklaas comes to their school or house (who has been fed information ahead of time), and brings them up in front of everyone and tells them all of the good and bad things they have heard that child has done in the past year (how traumatic!). Good children are given candy, while the bad children are threatened with being stuffed in a sack and taken back with Sinterklaas.

Gifts come a short time later. Apparently, the tradition used to be that Sinterklaas or one of his Black Petes would climb down the chimney. But most European homes don't have chimneys anymore. Now, most families ask a friend or a neighbor to leave the gifts at the front door, knock on the door, and then run away. The children are then left with the impression that the gifts have been left by Sinterklaas.

Picture of Sinterklaas via Jacob Johan's Flickr photostream [flickr.com].