While inevitably different from traditional groups in Europe, LA Krampus nonetheless attempts to absorb what we can of the genuine tradition by meeting and talking with those who practice it in its original form and setting. Visiting the Alpine Town of Bad Gastein, to witness very traditional Krampus activities in 2012, LA Krampus Co-founder Al Ridenour upon return began correspondening with Bruno Leiminger, a member of a Bad Gastein Krampus troupe who lately performs as, a St. Nicholas.
A Bad Gastein Krampus Troupe
When Bruno planned a visited to study trip to UC Berkley and visit down to Southern California, LA Krampus set up a meeting. Bruno had been completely unaware of America’s growing fascination with Krampus, and marveled at our enthusiasm and sometimes peculiar understanding and adaptation of the traditions. Before evening’s end, we were planning a future visit to Los Angeles by Bruno’s Bad Gastein troupe. 20014, 20015? Fingers crossed.
Greetings to Bruno (in center, white T-shirt) and our other horned friends back in the Alps!
Tamara Rettino will be joining the LA Krampus Troupe as Frau Perchta, witchy South German goddess and leader of the Wild Hunt, an otherworldy mob of lost souls or supernatural beings called Perchten, named after their mistress. Frau Perchta, is depicted in different forms, sometimes benevolent, sometimes evil, and often with two faces to represent both aspects. The Perchten who follow her also can be either good or evil. Krampus is thought to have evolved from the evil variety or Shiachperchten.
Work begins with a simple Mexican mask bearing a family resemblance to Krampus.
Most people familiar with Krampus are familiar with his switches — but may be confused about their actual use. European Krampuses (these days) never hit children, though they may lightly and playfully strike older onlookers on the backside or, more likely, lower legs — never anywhere near the face or eyes. LA Krampus performers will follow that example with extra allowances made for the unfamiliarity of the tradition. Strict performance guidelines will be made available to all participants, and Krampus Los Angeles takes no responsibility for those who fail to review or comply with those guidelines.
Regardless of use, you may feel compelled to carry switches simply as an iconic part of a Krampus costume. However, in many regions switches never used, and a whisk made of animal hair is the preferred tool for the job (as in the picture above). While this hair whisk accessory may be less familiar to Americans than switches, it actually allows for more freedom because it can be wielded without fear of leaving scratches or injury. Generally, these are made from the tail of a horse or cow. They are relatively inexpensive when ordered from overseas (roughly $12 without shipping) whereas the equivalent amount of horse hair sold in the US to equestrians for weaving into their animals’ tails for shows would cost roughly $60-100.
If all of this sounds challenging, pricey or possibly distasteful, we suggest you consider making an alternative version using synthetic hair attached to some sort of handle (the same type of “braiding hair” you might want to add to your costume). Some synthetic hair is less suitable as it lacks the heft required. In those cases, just comb a little heavily watered down white glue through the hair to add the required body.
But you probably still want switches.
If so, just remember that what’s used in Europe typically comes from a tree with thin, flexible branches — birch, or possibly willow. A dry bundle of sticks you might be able to gather from a backyard or park may be too rigid or brittle and may break apart if merely brandished in the air for effect a few times. For this reason, it’s worthwhile to just pay for something suitably lightweight, uniform, and springy. “Primitive” style fireplace brooms sold as “cinnamon brooms” around the holidays are a pretty good stand-in, and are dirt cheap — $1.50 (at least during the off-season) at Moskatel’s-Michael’s downtown, and probably only a little bit more at other Michael’s craft outlets, decorator/florist shops, etc.
You may have also seen the Krampus with chains. Sometimes — but again by no means always — Krampus either carries chains as rattling noisemakers (used in conjunction with his bells) or may wear chains and cuffs to suggest his subordination to St. Nicholas and his infernal chain-gang status. While oversized foam or plastic chains are easy to find and conveniently lightweight for performers, they won’t do much as noisemakers and aren’t really every used in Europe.
As for the notorious basket into which the Krampus is said to stuff children, this is also hardly mandatory, and in some regions unheard of. One big reason for this is that anatomical real estate on the backside of a Krampus is almost always devoted to bells. Bells are much, much more commonly carried than baskets, and it’s rather hard to fit them both on one costume. You may have seen a disproportionate representation of baskets in postcard illustrations of the Krampus, but that’s because the aural effect of bells doesn’t really have much power in an illustration, whereas a few screaming children piled into a basket certainly does. However piling children into a basket on one’s backside in real life is neither practical nor advisable, so over the centuries the bells have always been more common in costuming situations. However, baskets are worn sometimes, and should you want one, we trust you to navigate your way to a thrift store where a wicker hamper can be had for cheap.
If instead of watching videos, you’ve just been looking at pictures (especially old postcard illustrations where bells are notably absent), you might not understand the role sound plays in a Krampus’ run. The cacophony of bells is a huge part of the overall effect and creates a great sense of anticipation even before the creatures come into sight. The beastie’s natural movement and exaggerated jumping gets the clappers going, and often a chain will be fixed over the bells for further clatter.
On bell belt on the left below is a typical arrangement.
You cannot buy these things in the US, and even in the EU, you’d spend $100+ per bell (without shipping). The bells above aren’t even particularly big like like these or these seriously huge bells. While most all these bells are purpose-made for Krampus costuming, sometimes normal sized cow bells are used as well.
A better (lower and louder) tone seems to come from bells that are wider, taller, and especially those of thicker gauge metal. Our favorite supplier of this type of cowbell has been Harbor Freight, however — as of this posting — they were out of stock. Thankfully(?) a backordering option appears (no idea about the wait or ultimate availability though). These nice largish, low-toned bells were priced at only $3.99 (with cheap shipping), so let’s hope they get them back in stock.
Bells appearing similar to the Harbor Freight bells are available elsewhere, often described as “Kentucky cow bells” for around $8-14 at the larger sizes. You can also find smaller and cheaper bells sold for as noisemakers for sporting events or parties — okay in a pinch, but more like rattles than bells.
When looking for cow bells, don’t forget to try both both “cow bells and “cowbells.” Also consider widening your search to “livestock bells” as well as “goat bells.” Searching “cow bells” will also bring up musician’s cowbells, which tend to be larger (9-11″ sometimes) and more resonant, but also pricey. Sometimes, however, you’ll find a deal on one with visible wear and tear. Signs of age — especially rust — are only a plus for a spooky Krampus. Rarely will you see a European Krampus sporting shiny, new bells.
As a belt for your bells, you might economize with an old hemp rope, but a wide leather belt is the traditional choice — think “Santa belt” then double the width. Wider rugged belts can often be found in hardware stores as work belts or by searching online for “work belt, wide, double” (double-pronged buckles usually mean wider belts). The robust look of leather weightlifter belts also seems a fairly good match. Most all these belts can be found under $20 if you’re patient. You might have luck searching under theatrical/re-enactor costumes, but these are often too flimsy and overpriced.
You can easily drill holes in a leather belt and tie your bells on with twine or leather thong. If you want to get a bit fancier, you can use a cheap (under $10) leather punch-set and attach proper hangers with snaps — all materials available at leather hobbyist shops like Tandy. If you visit one of their local outlets (as in North Hollywood), you’ll see other hardware that might inspire ideas as well as tempting bins of scrap leather and rabbit pelts.
The belt below was created by LA Krampus Al Ridenour using products mentioned above as well as a few (non-traditional) decorative deer bits from eBay. The hanging clips here actually just heavy-duty picture hangers, and the newly purchase work belt was distressed with acetone, wire brush, and sander. Metal parts were “rusted” with paint or chemically rusted using an easy process found here.
