Stories: THE KRAMPUSSE OF DUPLJE

Slovenian version of a Krampus, the horned devilish creature that accompanies St. Nicholas and punishes bad children, is not as elaborate as those of other Alpine countries and the tradition is said to be diminishing. Nevertheless, many villages manage to persist in sending out St. Nicholas and his horned creatures to visit households and chase after disobedient children on the evening before St. Nicholas Day, December 6. In Upper Carniola region of Slovenia, there’s a rumour going around that the Krampusse in the village of Zgornje Duplje are crazy, out of control, dangeorus (they do have a habit of throwing kids in the water). This is their story.