A pirate, a Somali pirate, and Black Pete
Black Pete(s) is(are) the sidekick(s) of Sinterklaas, which as a reasonable but uniformed American I might declare the Dutch version of Santa Claus. In reality the opposite is true. Since Sinterklaas is dropping off presents this evening, now is as good a time as any to compare the legends of Santa Claus and Sinterklaas.
Santa Claus | Sinterklaas |
Brings children presents on the eve of December 25th | Brings children presents on the eve of December 5th |
Leaves the presents in children's stockings | Leaves the presents in children's [wooden] shoes |
Has a white beard and dresses in a red suit | Has a white beard and dresses in a red bishop's dress |
Has a belly that shakes like a bowl fully of jelly | Not so much |
Arrives in America via a flying sled from the North Pole | Arrives in The Netherlands/Belgium via a boat from Spain |
Is assisted by an army of elves | Is assisted by an army of Zwarte Pieten |
Gives naughty children a lump of coal | Takes naughty children back with him to Spain |
Who wins the Google Fight? |
You might think that it sounds silly for a jolly old man bearing presents to come from Spain, but does it really make more sense for him to come from the North Pole?
Watch Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten arrive and stock the local Albert Heijn with delicious pepernoten.
(And finally, because I know you're wondering: Yes, the roles of the Zwarte Pieten are always played by white people in black face. If this bothers you, then you are probably not Dutch.)
1 comment:
You should check out a short story by David Sedaris called "Eight Angry Black Men" -- funniest if you can hear him read it aloud.
Post a Comment