… Hardcover. Some parents leave a bag of gifts on Sinterklass's behalf by the door and the occasional "surprise" knock signals the kids that the gifts have arrived. By Ashley Novak, CNN. Hardcover. The history of blackface itself can be traced back to the minstrel performances that began in the 1830s. The True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas William J. Bennett. The naughty kids get a visit from Krampus or Belsnickle, evil demons who punish all bad children. All we know for sure is that, in the Middle Ages, Dutch people really liked drawing pictures of Sinterklaas dragging Satan around in chains. Every year, thousands of people line the streets across the Netherlands to celebrate the festival of Saint Nicholas, or, as he is better known, Sinterklaas. This season, he’s mostly pairing his red, papal gown with a white bishop’s alb and a red mitre emblazoned with a cross. Blackface minstrel groups showcased white actors who colored their skin with greasepaint to create racialized, mocking portrayals of Black people for the benefit of a white audience. We will come back to that a little further. A wish list poster with a leaflet of decorating stickers was inserted inside the catalogue. Saint Nicholas was greatly admired for his piety and kindness. The story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century, when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron saint of children. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The English-speaking colonists in America adopted the story, calling Sinterklaas " Santa Claus ." 4.5 out of 5 stars 329. No Santa Claus, Nikolaus or Papai Noel. Since 1952 the arrival of Sinterklaas has been a televised event which sees the Sint and his Zwarte Pieten land in style from their steam boat from Spain (although … In any case, the image of Black Pete became synonymous with the Sinterklaas celebrations in the Netherlands. Sinterklaas is the basis for the North American figure of Santa Claus. Magazine editor, restaurant reviewer, and food writer who focuses on Dutch cuisine. “Sinter who?” you might be asking yourselves. Two anti-Black Pete activists holding banners during the arrival of Sinterklaas to the city of Nijmegen in 2019. casting white actors to play people of other races. Many parade organizers have replaced the blackface tradition with performers partially covered in blotches of soot instead. For instance, the The Black and White Minstrel Show ran from 1958 until 1978 on BBC. Wikimedia CommonsWhile Saint Nicholas has been celebrated in Europe since the Middle Ages, his Black helper Zwarte Piet didn’t come along until the beginning of the mid-19th century. But the naughty children, as the Sinterklaas story goes, get Zwarte Piet — a dark-skinned figure who follows Sinterklaas around on his trips. The story about Sinterklaas’ helper using the chimney and therefore being black is an often heard argument to support that his black skin has nothing to do with racism. He is a robed, white-bearded man who visits good children on December 5 to lavish them with gifts. A type of mulled wine, called bischopswijn, is also enjoyed. Advertisement. It is said that Sinterklaas was the precursor of Santa Claus. His helper and best friend is Black Peter. The present celebrations are nevertheless largely inspired by a story, Sinterklass and his servant, written by a Dutch teacher in 1845. They paint their faces black to match the character. Sinterklaas is the basis of the mythical holiday … The details of this story are a little vague. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesSupporters argue Zwarte Piet’s black skin is merely soot from the chimney, but the character’s racialized features suggest it is indeed a caricature of Black people. 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