Who is Black Peter in reality?

Written by Wolvenwoud
Posted in Folklore - History

In the Netherlands and Belgium we have the festival of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas). He comes around at December 5 or 6. Little children get presents from him in their shoe when they have been good. Have they been too naughty, Black Peter will spank them with a bunch of branches. There is some discussion about the racial implications of a white boss (Saint Nicholas)  and a black servant (Peter). But no worry! Nothing is what it seems! On the Balkans old habits have been preserved. They have both black and white figures in the gift-giver festival. They all are ancestor spirits helping the living. Saint Nicholas was a Turkish bishop, maybe of Greek descent. In fact, the mythical Nicholas as a classical gift giver is most reminescent of Odin who filled the boot of brave people with gold. Originally there was both Odin and Holda bringing gifts and good luck during the dangerous Wylde Hunt, a theme with double meaning as all pagan things. So let's invite  a Mrs. Claus  as well. In fact Italians and Moroccans do have a female Gift Giver!

Then to the core of this story: Black Peter, the servant of Saint Nicholas. Hearing of old German lore I realized that Black Peter is not the servant but the main figure! The Schwartz Peter is a legendary Wild Man from the woods that carries of people but also brings gifts! During Christianisation he was in lore reduced to an assistant. But in fact he is the Gift Giver himself! The bunch of branches is most probably the fertility / good luck staff, also used by farmer's to bless the cattle in spring. Hitting with branches from a sacred tree is a positive act, which christianity made it into a punishment. Originally however it was a blessing! So let’s compose some songs for Peter and sing them as often as Sinterklaas songs!

Another interesting note is the horse of Odin; called Sleipnir. As we all know his horse could fly through the sky, which makes it easy for him to ride on the roofs of houses. The white horse was also sacred and important to European pagans. Some traditions still exist of this ancient pagan Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas. In Frisia for example young boys who reach adulthood are taken in bags and carried off on a white horse to be initiated into adulthood.

Sadly Saint Nicholas or Wodan/Odin is still being demonized in the horror movie Sint =(

There's also another feast dedicated to the Wild Hunt with Odin and Holda. It's called New Year's Eve or Berchtoldstag (also Bechtelstag, Bechtle, Bechtelistag, Berchtelistag, Bächtelistag, Bärzelistag) is an Alemannic holiday, known in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Alsace. It is near New Year's Day, during the Rauhnächte, in Switzerland always on January 2. The name is related to the Perchta, a female of myth and folklore, guardian of the animals, and sometimes leader of the Wild Hunt. The male name Berchtold is secondary, the liturgical calendar has no saint of that name. Surprisingly this feast is the origin of the dumpling or oliebol and the same spirits appear like on St. Nicholas day.

Written by :

Wolvenwoud