For those of you who don't know who Sinterklaas is (most likely anyone without a Dutch or Belgian background...), here's a little history lesson for you.
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus, although he delivers presents on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th, instead of December 25th. He looks like a cross between the pope and the American Santa Claus:
He brings presents and leaves them in wooden shoes that children leave out for him, which is why Holland is so famous for wooden shoes (I've never actually seen people wear these...).
Sinterklaas also has a helper, called Zwarte Piet (translation: Black Pete), and yes, if you're wondering, it's a very politically incorrect figure. The historic explanation is that he is an imported African servant - today's reasoning is that his face is black because "it's black from soot" from climbing up and down chimneys while delivering gifts. Apparently the Dutch government has been trying to change the image of Zwarte Piet for a while now - but you still see kids on the streets dressed up in Spanish colonial outfits (the traditional Zwarte Piet clothing) with their faces painted black. Brian thinks it's atrocious, and I'm not too fond of it either...
Anyway, the Dutch Sinterklaas is really the basis for the American Santa Claus (we had to Americanize the name like we always do). Apparently during the American War of Independence, New Yorkers living in the former Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam took the old Dutch tradition and made it their own. So there you have it - that's where Santa Claus comes from!
Check out this Wikipedia article if you're interested in more of the story.
Here are a few pictures from this weekend (Sinterklaas comes a few weeks before St. Nicholas Day so he can see whether the kids have been good or bad, and everyone dresses up and runs out to see him):
This is a terrible picture, but Sinterklaas is at the very front of the boat
Everyone in their boats chasing Sinterklaas and people lined up along the canals to see him
- Krista
3 comments:
It is so much fun to read about your adventures and learn about the culture. Keep on writing! Love, Mom
Bri and Krista, I haven't sent anything yet on these blogs since our home computer is sooooooo slow but it is fun to get them at work. I really enjoy seeing where you live and what you are doing so please keep this up. It will be fun to have you back in the states in a few weeks so you can share your stories in person. All is well here. Molly saw two (yes, two) cougar cubs walking down our driveway this week. I immediately wondered where the mom is hanging out. Could be exciting.
See you soon.
Love,
Mike
What fun! Thanks for the hx lesson.
L DaD
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