Need Canadians' input for school project

[eswill]

My son is doing a project about Canadian Christmas. Could any of you tell me what belsnicklers (or masked mummers) wear? Thanks for any help. We've looked all over for a description or picture but can't find one.

 

[NancyK]

I've never heard of this - I googled it and it seems to be a German thing?

 

[jtdl]

I've lived in Canada my entire life and have never heard of these things. I did do a Google search and found they are a part of the Maritime provinces (and Pennsylvania) Christmas traditions. I didn't find anything describing their costumes though. I'm glad I read your post ..... it's nice to know about this Canadian tradition that I never knew about !

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Mummers are a part of the Christmas traditions of Newfoundland & Labrador.

If you google Newfoundland Christmas mummers you might find some information.

Click here

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Count me in as another Canadian who had no clue!

 

[highland3]

I was born and raised in Nova Scotia... and I had no clue. I do remember a song called the Mummer's Dance!?!?!?!

 

[digskat]

never heard of either. Pere Noel is the only 'Canadian' christmas character I have heard of.

 

[bavaria]

I posted on the OP's other thread as I actually knew some of the answers! In case anyone has any interest....

Mummering was actually outlawed in Newfoundland in the 1800's, but had a resurgence in the 1990's after the fishery closed (I was in Newfoundland in December, including several outports shortly after the fishery closed). I don't know if this was to draw in tourism, but during that period after the closure of the fishery there were a lot of creative attempts to bring people to the province. Mummering is a UK and Irish tradition and occurs after Boxing Day.

Belsnickel is the Pennsylvania Dutch version of the Bavarian Krampus, who visits on December 6th. I have encountered him in the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania. Unlike Nikolaus, he is not always just kind and giving. He also hands out punishments.

Krampus is common to remote areas of Upper Bavaria and Austria.

Both Krampus (Belsnickel) and Mummering have somewhat violent elements to them. In the town over from ours one year a young man was electrocuted on Krampus, and there were several violent incidents each year.

As many have posted that they have not heard of Belsnickel or Mummering in Canada, in Germany most have not heard of Krampus.

(oh, and that pickle? ask any of us 82 million Germans and I suspect that they will tell you that they only heard of it at Epcot and here on this website )

 

[RoyalCanadian]

(oh, and that pickle? ask any of us 82 million Germans and I suspect that they will tell you that they only heard of it at Epcot and here on this website )

Let's not forget those who get their education through Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan where the pickle is alive and well.

 

[bavaria]

I missed a trip to Frankenmuth earlier this year while I was in Michigan, but I have been to other 'Bavarian' towns in the US and Canada which disappointed... But no surprise, I suppose!

Last year someone proudly presented me with a pickle from Crate and Barrel - at least I thankfully knew enough to allude to the supposed German custom!

and just like Canada, every corner of Germany has different customs, but the pickle doesn't appear to be one of them