Schmutzli

demonic Switzerland single tradition · 1

Schmutzli is a "dark" or threatening companion figure of Saint Nicholas in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. These characters act as a foil to the benevolent Christmas gift-bringer, threatening to thrash or abduct disobedient children.

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Source passages

“The corresponding figure in the Netherlands and Flanders is called Zwarte Piet or Black Pete, and in Swiss-German folklore Schmutzli, (schmutz meaning dirt).”

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