While history has proven that Dutch society is extremely anti-racist and tolerant, there is a discrepancy and controversial issue with Black Pete ‘Zwarte Piet’ seen in their traditional celebration of Santa Claus ‘Sinterklaas’. Viagra dose There are many who to this day say this figure is racist. Viagra action
In 2003, The Global African Congress (an organization which commits itself to repairing the damage of the historical oppression of black people) filed a petition calling for the abolishment of Black Pete. They cited a racist element with the projection of a superior white race of Sinterklaas against the inferior black race depicted via a dumb black helper. The Dutch Parliament was resistant. Many Dutch believe no child sees racism nor is it believed to be part of their thinking in their society. To them Sinterklaas and Black Pete is simply an old fun tradition that ultimately brings happiness and love wherever they go.
There are many theories about the history behind the characters of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet. Some believe that Sinterklaas today is a fusion of St. Nicholas and Wodan (an ancient Germanic god). He triumphantly rode an eight-legged horse in the sky and had two servants, Eckhard and Oel. Wodan was also accompanied by two black ravens and a javelin with a snake which would inform him about the behavior of people on the ground. Later in the Middle Ages Sinterklaas traveled with a creature on a leash that represented the devil. For a couple of centuries this creature disappeared. By the end of the 19th century a servant appeared once more, but this time a young black man dressed in a 16th century page costume. There are varied theories re the servant for example, some say the servant is a descendent of the devil while others say the servant is a descendant of an Ethiopian slave bought and set free by St Nicholas.
Leading up to W.W.II, Black Pete’s job was to investigate which children had been bad. He would then take them away in his sack and/or discipline them with a whip. Later Zwarte Piet’s character transformed into a group of Black Petes, each with different characteristics eg funny, grumpy and nice. Today Black Pete’s purpose has changed and is more about entertainment and fun while running and jumping about as Sinterklaas assistant. However a jovial way for parents to discipline their misbehaving children is to say “I will tell Black Pete to take you with him to Spain!” which often gets the children laughing and back on track.
Generally a few weeks prior to the official Christmas holiday, Santa Claus comes to the Netherlands and Belgium on a steamboat from Spain with his black faced servants. They arrive at all the major cities with gifts. The Mayor of each city welcomes Sinterklaas while schools and parents and children welcome Black Petes. Santa Claus is a character they developed from Saint Nicholas and is celebrated separately from the traditional Christmas holiday. The event is so popular that it is shown on Dutch television.
Close to December 5th, children put their shoes in front of the fireplace and often place straw, carrots and water near their shoes for Sinterklaas horse. In the night St Nicholas visits all the houses, traveling over the roofs on his horse while Black Pete enters the houses through the chimney to put small presents in the children’s shoes. It is a grand and exciting time for children and parents.