A Racist Dutch Christmas?
Culture shock is a common occurrence for many Brits when travelling to Asia or South America, but only 115 miles from our very shores you may be very surprised to see around Christmas time the Dutch “black up” for a tradition we might find a little racist!
Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) has been a tradition in The Netherlands that dates as far back as 1845. This yearly event which is on the 5thof December involves season revelers blackening their faces and wearing afro wigs, gold jewellery, bright red lipstic, throwing sweets to passers-by and oddly putting sweets into the shoes of all the good children.
As much as we may find this tradition a little racist to say the least, it a contentious issue for may Dutch too, but, this being said I personally witnessed firsthand this festive custom my initial reaction was one of pure disbelieve, my first question what “what the f*** are you doing?” after being given a brief explanation of the character (Black Pete) I still had a sour taste in my mouth and trying not to be confrontational I began to explain that if someone was to do the same thing in the UK more so in the south of England they would be beaten to a pulp and most likely wouldn’t make it through the night lying in a hospital bed. My friends explained that he was not black and that his black coloured face was due to him going down the chimney and the fact he was Santa’s “helper” didn’t put my mind at ease.
The Dutch are renowned for their laid back and liberal attitude but they seemed quite angry that I was questioning their century old praxis and they couldn’t see the inherent racist symbolism. Their final words were “without Zwarte Pete it just wouldn’t be Christmas, Santa and Pete go hand in hand.”
I grew up with this holiday and each year it is the same people whining that it is racist.Foreigners and people who have no idea of the tradition.They “racialise” what is a innocent childrens feast celebrated on the 5th of Decemberby children of all colors.The Sinterklaas tradition goes back much further then 1845 , it has it’s roots in Germanic paganism , in particular Odin travelling across the sky on his multi legged horse delivering presents through the chimney to good children and punishing bad,black pete started out as a shady demon character Odin enslaves,shackles demons and can command them.After the low countries,modern day Netherlands,Belgium,Northern France, became Christianised the tradition was changed to st.Nicolas a 4th century saint.The modern black pete appearance became to represent a Moor St.Nicolas residing,arriving from Spain.The theme being good conquering evil.Dark vs Light Christianity vs Islam.It is all symbolism.It has no racial or racist component to it.I would suggest people get educated about other cultures before they judge.
Hello Danya, thank you for your comment, I’m sure you can appreciate that those who have not been subject to this tradition may question its viability in a multicultural and multiracial Europe.
Your explanation of Odin (The ruler of Asgard in Norse mythology and the father of Thor) and his eight-legged horse (Sleipnir) is a good comparison but I don’t think your referral of Christianity Vs Islam as Good Vs Evil is true. Dark Vs Light is an ubiquitous duality.
The article was not intended to judge any faith or practice it was simply meant to raise awareness of other traditions in other countries that many people in Consett wouldn’t be aware of.
The foundation of Christian theology is expressed in the early ecumenical creeds which contain claims predominantly accepted by followers of the Christian faith. These professions state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and was subsequently resurrected from the dead in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust him for the remission of their sins..
All the best to you
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