Sinterklaas

Last week when we rode to Den Haag there were dozens of people roaming around town in festive clothing and black face paint (as shown with Helga). This past week in Delft lots of shops started putting up their Christmas decorations that included lots of black dolls (as shown on the drum with Meita and Nuttakan). Last night at the IHE party I found out what this is all about, because while we were eating typical Dutch food and having a few beers, Sinterklaas decided to visit (hopefully those pictures will be provided soon by Carlos).

Sinterklaas (aka Sint Nicolaas) is the Dutch equivalent to the American Santa Claus (duh), but in Holland he comes by boat from Spain (though originally a Turk, so his hat is like that of an eastern orthodox bishop). He arrives mid-November with his assistants, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, as shown in the pictures) who hands out candy. Sometimes they throw the candy, which actually hurts when it hits you in the face. Apparently painting one's face black for this occasion is not racist, for Pete was the devil and was the servant of St. Nic. I think. Regardless, I don't think that it would be PC in the US. Between the arrival of Sinterklaas and the exchange gifts on December 5^th, children put their shoes near the fire and wait for them to be filled with candies.

On the whole, it probably doesn’t seem too different from American traditions, but I have not explained it well. Wikipedia does a good job, but the best explanation of the concept that I have found was on This American Life. A few years back David Sedaris performed a piece called “Six to Eight Black Men” (in episode 201 from 2001 archive called "Them" dated 12/07/06, for the text click here). Seriously, read or listen this piece, you’ll be falling of your chair laughing.