Krampus and co.

Is so much violence in customs still in keeping with the times?

The Krampus is coming - save yourself who can!(Bild: Nicola Simeoni - [e-mail])

Beaten-up women, intimidated children - there are customs around Christmas that can take on violent traits. In Austria, Krampus runs and the behavior of the performers and spectators are repeatedly criticized. Has this tradition aged badly?

Imagine there is one evening a year when you would rather not leave the house because you are officially "hunted". By six men in masquerade costume, armed with a cow horn. If you are caught, you will be struck several times with this horn. No - this is not the plot of a scary movie, but reality for all women on the German island of Borkum. Every year on December 5, a custom is celebrated there that only exists there: "Klaasohm".