http://www.blogadilla.com/2007/12/16/what-is-it-of-the-week-santa-claus-and-his-evil-servant/ The Tijuana of the Internet Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:32:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 http://www.blogadilla.com/2007/12/16/what-is-it-of-the-week-santa-claus-and-his-evil-servant/comment-page-1/#comment-7535 SM Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:52:33 +0000 http://www.blogadilla.com/2007/12/16/what-is-it-of-the-week-santa-claus-and-his-evil-servant/#comment-7535 Black Peter - Some time prior to the mid-1800’s, “Black Peter” [though known by many names] appears as a companion to Saint Nicholas, and may have been a regional variant of the above Krampus. Black Peter is often portrayed as a Moor - having black skin, a turban, and baggy pantaloons - and some versions claim that he is from Spain (where the Moors once occupied). Traditionally, he served the same purpose as the Krampus - a sinister figure under the control of Saint Nicholas, who dealt-out punishment to bad children and labored for Saint Nicholas. Given the notable racist tone of Black Peter, efforts have been made to modify this character: changing his color, considering him a freed slave who choses to be a servant of Saint Nicholas, or as a friendly companion of Saint Nicholas. Black Peter – Some time prior to the mid-1800’s, “Black Peter” [though known by many names] appears as a companion to Saint Nicholas, and may have been a regional variant of the above Krampus. Black Peter is often portrayed as a Moor – having black skin, a turban, and baggy pantaloons – and some versions claim that he is from Spain (where the Moors once occupied). Traditionally, he served the same purpose as the Krampus – a sinister figure under the control of Saint Nicholas, who dealt-out punishment to bad children and labored for Saint Nicholas. Given the notable racist tone of Black Peter, efforts have been made to modify this character: changing his color, considering him a freed slave who choses to be a servant of Saint Nicholas, or as a friendly companion of Saint Nicholas.

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