Monsters on the rampage

For a teenage girl wishing on a dark winter’s night to be grabbed by a huge hairy monster in a hideous mask, possibly to receive a whack round the legs with a bunch of twigs sounds unlikely. But this, I’m told, is exactly what they wanted last Saturday evening.

For the young lads in the village, in the face of these creatures, it is important to show nonchalance, to be seen not to be afraid – after all, they could soon turn into a Krampus themselves.

Last weekend was the traditional Krampuss Rummel in Embach where these great hairy creatures rampage through the village. The village centre is crowded, glühwein being downed, flares, fireworks and loud music accompany the deafening cacophony of their arrival and the Krampusse begin their “punishment” of those who take their fancy.

They are the bad spirits accompanying St Nicholas who is visiting the houses of children to reward those who have been good with sweets and nuts, and ticking off those who have not. While this good man, with his tall hat, white gloves and golden book is viewed with awe by the children, his “bad” attendants, the Krampusse are the subject of fear and terror.

It’s not surprising. Huge, hairy and loud, Krampusse leap around the village carrying a switch of twigs which is used to punish the unwary with a whack around the legs. The goodness of St Nicholas’ alone is said to outdo the ten or so Krampusse who accompany him.

To be a Krampus you must own the kit which here in Embach includes a huge hideous mask, hand carved from wood with a number of horns, sometimes curled and sometimes long and twisted. This are often passed through generations as new ones cost a small fortune. Hairy animal skins cover the body and on their backs are large metal globes filled with nuts and bolts to make a fearful noise when shaken.

It’s a hard task being a Krampus, leaping around, grabbing and whacking people, continuously jumping up and down to make the din that Krampusses make to confuse their prey. Much beer has to be downed, and probably not a few glasses of schnapps before the night is out. It’ll go on for a few nights to come before they return to their lair and St Nicholas puts his book aside and the children await the arrival of Christmas.