Kriskinkle
human_specialist Allegany County, Maryland single tradition · 1
Kriskinkle is an annual visitor who appears some hours after dark, thoroughly disguised, especially the face. The person generally wore a female garb, hence the name Christmas woman, but sometimes it would be a veritable woman but with masculine force and action. He or she would be equipped with an ample sack about the shoulders filled with cakes, nuts, and fruits, and a long hazel switch which was supposed to have some kind of a charm in it as well as a sting.
When
- First attested
- 1800 CE
- Attested period
- 1830 – 1830
- Historical notes
- Tradition in Allegany County, Maryland around 1830.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Belsnickel
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“He was known as Kriskinkle, Beltznickle and sometimes as the Xmas woman. Children then not only saw the mysterious person, but felt him or rather his stripes upon their backs with his switch.”
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