There are many Christmas traditions around the world that are considered a little strange. Here are some of the “unusual” Christmas customs around the world.
In the folklore of parts of Germany and Austria, Krampus is Santa Claus’s “fearsome friend,” a demonic creature who punishes naughty children during the holiday season. The mythical furry beast with large hooves and horns is celebrated every December 5 in many cities across Germany and Austria in a festival called Krampusnacht. The festival is usually marked by a parade in which hundreds of people dressed as Krampus chase each other through the streets.
In Portugal, Christmas is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away, with families setting an extra place at the dinner table on Christmas Eve (or sometimes Christmas morning). This custom is called consoda and is said to bring good luck to the family with a meal of salted cod, potatoes and some local desserts. This meal traditionally comes after a day of fasting.
In Norway, according to folklore, Christmas Eve is believed to coincide with the time when evil spirits and witches appear. To protect themselves, families hide all brooms and mops before going to bed.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has some rather unusual Christmas dishes. These include mattak, raw whale skin with blubber, or kiviak, a small bird wrapped in sealskin that is buried for several months and eaten when it decomposes.
A traditional Scandinavian Christmas symbol, the Yule Goat is said to be a spirit that appears before the festive season to ensure that the festivities go smoothly. Today, small straw goats are popular tree decorations across Scandinavia.
MINH CHAU
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