St. Martin’s Day and Nußmärtel

Last night was the eve of St. Martin’s. In certain regions of Germany there is a cousin of Krampus who greets children with enticing handfuls of nuts and sweets AND SWITCHES on that night.  He is called the “Nut Martin or Marty” or “Nußmärtel” There’s also a “Pelzmärtel” (“Furs-” or “Beatings-Martin” depending on which etymology you trust). Other less frightful customs involving decorative lantern parades and roast geese.

All of this posted on our Krampus Los Angeles Facebook “Interest” page just now.  We also have an interactive discussion group on FB too.

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Indigenous Krampus Meetup 2

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
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!

GRUSS-LA

 

Continue ReadingIndigenous Krampus Meetup 2

Indigenous Krampus Meetup

Old Gnigler Krampus Perchten Troupe
Old Gnigler Krampus Perchten Troupe

LA Krampus reaches out occasionally to the Krampus homeland of Austria to contact those who can share a little firsthand information about how things work there.  Recently, we were lucky to establish contact with Austrian Krampus Martin Zehentner who works with the Gnigler Krampuslauf, a Krampus Run named for Gnigl, a neighborhood of Salzburg,where Martin lives, and one of the largest in that very important Krampus region with 30 different Krampus troupes participating.  The Gnigler Krampuslauf was founded by the Old Gnigler Krampus Perchten Troupe, a group active since 1966.

When Martin recently visited Los Angeles as a tourist we were able to set up a dinner meeting with some of the Krampus LA organizers in Hollywood, to enjoy some “real Mexican-American cuisine of the 1960s,” at — naturally — El Coyote.

Martin was full of anecdotes, practical tips on how they run their events, and advice cautionary advice about the  Krampus, who tips back a few too many Schnapps.

 

 

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