If you thought the Yule Trolls of Iceland were terrifying, meet Krampus. He is pretty much the exact opposite of Santa Claus. Krampus is a twisted half-demon/half-goat creature with sharp horns and hooves who enjoys terrorizing children in the central and eastern European Alps.
A greeting card featuring Krampus, called “Krampuskarten.” It says ‘Gruss vom Krampus!’ which translates to ‘Greetings from Krampus.’ Greeting cards like this became popular in the 1800s.
Every year, on Krampusnacht (December 5th) he punishes the unfortunate misbehaving children that St Nicholas refuses to give candy to. He will hit the poor bad children with branches. Sometimes if they are really naughty, he stuffs them into his bag so he can take them back to his lair for dinner.
A spooky old photograph of Krampus and St Nicolas. The other creature beside them are Schabmanner or “Wild men” who are known to come around small isolated villages.
Krampus most certainly originated from pre-Christian, Germanic paganism. His name derived from the German word “Krampen” which means claw. According to folklore, Krampus is the son of the Norse God Hel, who is the daughter of Loki and overseer of the underworld.
The Catholic Church and the Austrian government have attempted to abolish the tradition multiple times throughout history. However towards the end of the 20th century, the fierce Krampus tradition was revived.
Today people celebrate by participating in annual parades such as Krampuslauf (translated to Krampus Run in english). Young people dress up in terrifying costumes resembling Krampus and march around nearby Alpine towns and cities. Below is a video of the celebration.
Krampus and other exciting pre-Christian celebrations are gaining popularity in North America thanks to the Internet. Americans even made a movie about him which earned 61 million at the box office.
Here in North America, children are visited by jolly ole’ Santa Claus, who rewards them for their good behavior by giving them free gifts on Christmas Eve. However Iceland celebrates the winter holidays a little differently. Thirteen nights before Yule (Christmas Eve), the Yule Trolls take turns visiting Icelandic children. They leave behind sweets or rotten vegetables in the child’s shoes, depending on the child’s behavior.
Icelandic children place their shoes on the windowsill to make it easier for the trolls.
These trolls are the sons of the foul child-eating mountain trolls, Grýla and Leppalúði. Unlike Santa Claus, these trolls are not so Jolly and good-spirited. They hide sleeping in their cave for most of the year, but during December they awaken to strike fear into the hearts of misbehaving children. Alongside the trolls is the black tyrannical Yule Cat named Jólakötturinn, who will devour children who are not wearing at least one new piece of clothing on Yule (Christmas Eve). He may also eat the food of those who are lazy and do not work hard enough. My favorite Icelandic star, Björk even wrote a song about this malevolent kitty.
Each mischievous troll has his own distinct personality and habits. The famous poem Jólasveinarnir by Jóhannes úr Kötlum written in 1932, describes the individual trolls very well. Below I will quote from that poem.
The first troll is named Stekkjarstaur or “Sheep-Cote Clod.” This little troll is known for his desire to harass sheep and for his stiff wooden peg legs.
He came stiff as wood,
To pray upon the farmer’s
Sheep as far as he could.
He wished to suck the ewes,
But it was no accident
He couldn’t; he had stiff knees –
Not too convenient.
The second troll is named Giljagaur or “Gully Gawk.” He likes to hide in the gullies waiting until he has the opportunity to steal some cow milk!
Gray his head and mien.
He snuck into the cow barn
From his craggy ravine.
Hiding in the stalls,
He would steal the milk,
While the milkmaid gave the cowherd
A meaningful smile.
The third little troll is named Stúfur or “Stubby.” He is known for being very short and loving to lick the leftovers out of your pans!
A stunted little man,
Who watched for every chance
To whisk off a pan.
And scurrying away with it,
He scraped off the bits
That stuck to the bottom
And brims – his favorites.
The fourth troll is named Þvörusleikir or “Spoon-Licker”
Like spindle he was thin.
He felt himself in clover
When the cook wasn’t in.
Then stepping up, he grappled
The stirring spoon with glee,
Holding it with both hands
For it was slippery.
The fifth troll is named Pottaskefill or “Pot Scraper.” Similar to Stubby, he will eat the leftovers out of pots instead.
Was a funny sort of chap.
When kids were given scrapings,
He’d come to the door and tap.
And they would rush to see
If there really was a guest.
Then he hurried to the pot
And had a scrapingfest.
The sixth troll is named Askasleikir or “Bowl-Licker.” He enjoys hiding under your bed until you put your bowl down. Then he will steal it and lick it!
Was shockingly ill bred.
From underneath the bedsteads
He stuck his ugly head.
And when the bowls were left
To be licked by dog or cat,
He snatched them for himself –
He was sure good at that!
The seventh troll is named Hurðaskellir or “Door Slammer.” He slams your doors throughout the night. What a noisy, annoying fellow.
A sorry, vulgar chap:
When people in the twilight
Would take a little nap,
He was happy as a lark
With the havoc he could wreak,
Slamming doors and hearing
The hinges on them squeak.
The eigth troll is named Skyrgámur or “Skyr -Gobbler.” This little buddy’s favorite food is skyr which is a traditional Icelandic dairy dish, similar to yogurt.
Was an awful stupid bloke.
He lambasted the skyr tub
Till the lid on it broke.
Then he stood there gobbling
– his greed was well known –
Until, about to burst,
He would bleat, howl and groan.
The ninth troll is named Bjúgnakrækir or “Sausage Swiper.” This mischievous little guy hides in the rafters and pilfers pork links while they’re smoking.
He climbed up to the rafters
And raided food from there.
Sitting on a crossbeam
In soot and in smoke,
He fed himself
On sausage fit for gentlefolk.
The tenth troll is named Gluggagægir or “Window Peeper.” This nosy little creature looks through your windows at night with hopes that he will find something worth stealing.
A weird little twit,
Who stepped up to the window
And stole a peek through it.
And whatever was inside
To which his eye was drawn,
He most likely attempted
To take later on.
The eleventh troll is named Gáttaþefur or “Doorway Sniffer.” He has a long nose. He uses his fantastic sense of smell to sniff around, searching for a traditional Icelandic bread called Laufabrauno.
A doltish lad and gross.
He never got a cold,
Yet had a huge, sensitive nose.
He caught the scent of lace
Bread while leagues away still
And ran toward it weightless
As wind over dale and hill.
The twelth troll is named Ketkrókur or “Meat-Hook.” This little thief uses his famous hook to steal your meat!
His talent would display
As soon as he arrived
On Saint Thorlak´s Day.
He snagged himself a morsel
Of meat of any sort,
Although his hook at times
Was a tiny bit short.
Lastly, the thirteenth troll is named Kertasníkir or “Candle Stealer.” He will stalk children so he can steal their candles and then eat them!
´Twas cold, I believe,
If he was not the last
Of the lot on Christmas Eve.
He trailed after the little ones
Who, like happy sprites,
Ran about the farm with
Their fine tallow lights.
Then one by one they trotted off
Into the frost and snow.
On Twelfth Night the last
Of the lads used to go.
Their footprints in the highlands
Are effaced now for long,
The memories have all turned
To image and song.
Stay safe from the Yule Trolls this year, and Gledileg jol, Bestu jolakvedjur med osk um gledi og frid a komandi ari! (It’s an Icelandic holiday greeting which translates to, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)
