Sinterklaas does not come from Spain! But where does he come from? In this blog we take you on a quest for Sinterklaas, the origin of the story and what we can learn from him about our culture and ancestors.
Have you been good? You will find out in this blog.
The story of Sinterklaas is a complex phenomenon that probably originates from the merging of various festivals and traditions that have developed over thousands of years. While some elements of this tradition can be clearly traced, others remain speculative. The American Santa Claus is a direct derivative of Sinterklaas so his story is inextricably linked to Saint Nicholas. The Bavarian Krampus ritual is also closely linked to Sinterklaas.
Odin and the Wild Hunt
Sinterklaas is publicly welcomed. This may have its origins in the Proto-Indo-European principle of hospitality, which was important to all Indo-European peoples. In several Scandinavian stories hospitality (the Indo-European ghósti principle) is emphasized, such as Grímnismál and Hávamál.
The modern saint shows many similarities with the Old Norse god Odin (Germanic: Wodan). Odin had more than 170 epithets and was the god of wisdom, kingship and knowledge, but also of death, war and battle. Odin and Wodan were not 100% the same, there are aspects of Odin that Wodan did not have and vice versa.
Odin is often depicted with a long beard. He waves his spear Gungnir (St Nicholas Staff) and is disguised with a cloak and wide hat (comparable to the cloak and miter of Saint Nicholas).
He is often accompanied by the wolves Geri and Freki, predators with an insatiable hunger. The ravens Huginn and Muninn see everything, so Odin knows everything. He rides a gray horse, the eight-legged Sleipnir who can both walk and fly (over the roofs).
Odin is also the master of poetry and runic writing (that is why people write Sinterklaas poems).
Like the Saint, Odin is not evil. He was involved in the creation of the world and gave life to the first two people, Ask and Embla. He has given man knowledge and writing.
Odin consults the embalmed head of Mímir, who predicts Ragnarök and urges him to lead the mythologically dead warriors, Einherjar, before he is defeated by the cruel wolf Fenrir. Therefore, he, the supreme god, leads his furious, violent army of the dead, to defeat chaos and restore cosmic order, so that daylight can return to the earth.
This myth may be the origin of the Wild Hunt, which is often interpreted as Wodan's army of the dead. The Wild Hunt probably took place sometime between Halloween (Álfablót) and Christmas (Yule), when the days are at their shortest and nature is dead and dark. Traces of the Wild Hunt can be found mainly in the German-speaking areas, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain and Scandinavia.
During these cold winter days you can feel Ragnarok coming. Fortunately Odin comes with his warriors to avert evil, but beware: He does not tolerate naughty children!
Nautghy and nice children
It is unclear whether the Wild Hunt, if it was commemorated at a fixed time, was originally a children's festival, or not at all. It is possible that this was a moment of reflection for adults as well.
Germanic society was oath-bound. Actions, and the choice for good or evil, had consequences. This was made clear from an early age.
Parents protected their children with agreements, which taught them their boundaries and social obligations. They were rewarded if they were good and kept to these agreements.
Naughty children did not keep to their agreements and thus created chaos and imbalance. In doing so, they brought the wrath of Odin and his army upon themselves.
The members of the Wild Hunt
When a child of a higher class was old enough, he became a member of a war band, the kóryos. With this group of youngsters, he attacked neighboring tribes and stole their cattle. They came face to face with wild animals. Instead of being afraid that the army of the dead would come to get him, he went in search of the Wild Hunt himself, and became part of it.
It is possible that children had to prove that they were no longer afraid by visiting the graves of their ancestors and bringing back a grave gift that had been placed there by the adults during Álfablót. This could establish a connection between the Wild Hunt and the giving of gifts during Sinterklaas, but this is speculative.
The original ‘Pieten’ were therefore not colonial slaves, but new members of Odin’s war band. They were berserkers, ulfheðnar and jǫfurr who had killed a bear, boar or wolf with their own hands. The name of one of Saint’s helpers in Germany, Ruprecht, also literally means ‘radiant in glory’, which hints at a different role than that of a simple servant.
But why black? These war bands obtained their status in society by stealing cattle from enemy tribes. Like the Germanic Harii, they may have fought at night, painted completely black. The black colour served as a practical disguise and emphasised the heroic deeds of the band.
In many other Indo-European cultures we also find figures that are (partly) painted black, often dressed with horns or animal skins, to welcome the new year. The Krampus is a well-known example of this, but similar traditions also exist in Greece, France, England and even Persia (Iran). The soot-smeared faces symbolise not only death, but also fertility. Their animalistic appearance reflects a rite of passage associated with the kóryos.
Throughout history, the character we now know as ‘Pete’ has been adapted. Nowadays he is often associated with the history of slavery, due to his black make-up, frizzy hair, red lips and earrings. However, it seems that Piet originally had a completely different meaning and was not connected to colonial history.
Presents do not come down the chimney
We all know that presents do not just come down the chimney. You receive them from friends and you give presents back yourself. By giving gifts, hospitality and poems you maintain the cosmic order.
We wish you a great Sinterklaas! Visit our gift page if you are looking for meaningful gifts to give. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/new/gifts/