Sinterklass and Zwarte Piet

Today we went to the Belgian town of Sint Niklaas which is the home of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas, Saint Nicolas or De Sint (The Saint) is an annual tradition still celebrated in Belgium and the Netherlands on Saint Nicholas' eve (5th December), or on the morning of 6th December.

He is assisted by a lot of mischievous helpers with black faces and colourful Moorish dresses called 'Zwarte Pieten' (Black Petes). Traditionally their faces are blackened because Zwarte Piet is a Spanish (moorish) servant of Sinterklaas (though some people said Zwarte Piet was originally a slave who, when Sinterklaas bought him his freedom, was so grateful that he stayed to assist him). Today, sometimes the more politically correct explanation is that Pete's face is "black from soot" (as Pete has to climb through chimneys to deliver his gifts).

It's customary for the children to put one shoe in front of the fireplace from the day Sinterklaas arrives, usually in the third week of November, sing Sinterklaas songs and go to bed. A carrot, hay, or an apple may put in the shoe as a treat for Sinterklaas' horse. In houses without a chimney and fireplace the shoes are put in front of the entrance door, and it's believed that Sinterklaas has a key that fits every door.

The next morning the carrot would be gone and the children may find candy or a small present in their shoes, or a note will be "found" that explains where in house the presents were hidden by Zwarte Piet. On 6th December, Sinterklaas departs without any ado, and all festivities are over.

It's a great tradition and until 6th December all decorations in shop windows are of Sinterklaas, but after the 6th they suddenly become Father Christmas. So for children here, they theoretically get two Christmases, although it depends on individual families whether they get presents for both, or main presents for one and sweets etc for the other.

Anyway, as it's only just over a week until the Fete, Sinterklaas is in his house with Zwarte Piet and has opened his doors for children to visit. Being the big kid that I am, I wanted to go and see him, but Alison & I were the only adults without children lol!

It was really lovely - his house is a big town house in the centre of Sint Niklaas and there are various rooms to visit inlcuding his living room, bedroom, bathroom and play rooms. His grey horse is even in the paddock behind the house.

There were numerous Zwarte Pieten entertaining the children while they waited to see Sinterklaas, and we got to talk to them. They were really interested that we were English, particularly when I explained that we don't have this tradition in the UK.

Then finally we got to meet Sinterklaas himself and he looked a little puzzled that we didn't have children with us and that we wanted to sit on his knee ;-)

So my blip today is of Sinterklaas with Zwarte Piet - I've put some other shots in my blipfolio and I also found a funny song on You Tube.