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Sinterklaas
A bit from Wikipedia and a bit from me (lazy me, but I figured I’d spend my time on painting instead of writing...): Saint Nicholas (270 - 7 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra (located in modern-day Turkey). He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' Eve (December 5, so that was last week) is the primary occasion for gift-giving, when his reputed birthday is celebrated. In this case, roles are reversed, though, in that Sinterklaas is the one who gives the presents. In the days leading up to December 5 (starting when Saint Nicholas has arrived in the Netherlands by steamboat in late November), young children put their shoes in front of the chimneys and sing Sinterklaas songs. Often the shoe is filled with a carrot or some hay for the horse of St. Nicholas. On the next morning they will find a small present in their shoe, ranging from a bag of chocolate coins to a bag of marbles or some other small toy. On the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas brings presents to every child that has been good in the past year (he writes that down is his big red book). This is often done by placing a sack with presents outside the house or living room, after which a neighbour or parent bangs the door or window, pretending to be Sinterklaas' assistant. Sinterklaas wears a bishop's robes including a red cape (he’s shown here in his underdress) and red mitre, rides a white horse over the rooftops and is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colourful Moorish dress, dating back two centuries. These helpers are called 'Zwarte Pieten' ("Black Petes").
Posted: 13 Dec 2009
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