The Krampus

The folk legend of the Krampus is a seemingly terrifying yet mysterious phenomenon to many. The folktale of a half-goat demon who punishes naughty children during Christmas has now manifested into a deep tradition all across the globe. Celebrated today by people running through the streets in Krampus costumes, it is easy to see that the legend of Krampus lives on despite Christian attempts to poach this pagan tradition. Beyond the observable rituals and traditions, the Krampus also has influence on how politics and identity is expressed in Europe, making this figurehead deeper than just an old folkloric tradition.