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Archiver > Dutch-Colonies > 2002-12 > 1039118432


From: "Ed/Linda Roorda" <>
Subject: Re: [D-Col] Leisure & Folklore - Saint Nicolas
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 15:00:32 -0500
References: <3DEF81C1.2F5577F3@wxs.nl>


I'm new to this list and am enjoying it! I grew up as 2nd generation
Dutch-American on my dad's side - i.e.my dad's parents emigrated as teens
with their respective parents from Rotterdam and Uithuizermeeden during the
1920s. As a child, we (my siblings and I, mostly in the 1960s) still
respected a few of the Dutch traditions - namely, we were taught about Dec
5th as St. Nicholas Day, and Olie Koekin (donuts), boer jongis (did I spell
that right? it being a unique liquor which my dad learned to make from his
Opoe (grandmother), and the pickled herring treats my grandfather started me
on - memories!
We always respected Christmas Day as our day to worship, my dad
respecting his American kids by allowing us to open gifts a few days to a
week before Christmas though not on Dec 5th - and in the family of my
grandparents, one simply did not open gifts on Christmas Day. I struggled
with that tradition when my own kidlets were little - but they're
Americanized and open gifts Christmas morning!
Researching my mom's family, I've learned she has so many early Dutch
ancestors to NY that she never ever, knew about amongst her German Palatine
ancestors. What a pleasant surprise!
I grew up treasuring the Dutch heritage of my dad, and am now pleased to
learn my mom shares Dutch ancestors from the1600s to New Amsterdam, and my
husband is also Dutch via both his parents!
Am looking forward to learning more on this List site. Thanks! Linda

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cor Snabel" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2002 11:41 AM
Subject: [D-Col] Leisure & Folklore - Saint Nicolas


> Dear friends,
>
> It's almost 18.00 here in the Netherlands and within a few hours the
> Dutch children will celebrate Saint Nicolas Eve. In some families the
> bishop himself will appear to give away his presents.
>
> Regards,
> Cor Snabel
> The Netherlands
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
>
> Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas)
>
> The festival of Sint Nicolaas is the most important Dutch children's
> feast of the year.
> In the 4th century, Nicolaas was the bishop of Myra (now south east
> Turkey). In the 6th century, he was worshipped as a Saint in the
> Byzantine Empire and in the 12th century in Europe. Due to the miracles
> he is said to have performed, he became the patron saint of various
> professions and groups, like sailors, merchants, travelers, unmarried
> women and children. All along the northern coasts from France to Norway,
> Sint Nicolaas churches were founded, where sailors prayed for a safe
> journey. In Holland these "Klaas-churches" were mainly found along the
> coastline and near the great rivers.
>
> The Sint Nicolaas feast was celebrated at the convent-schools in the
> early Middle Ages. During his feast on 6 December the children did a
> play, where the Saint appeared as by a miracle and brought the children
> presents. In the late Middle Ages, the Sint Nicolaas feast was also
> celebrated outside the churches and convents with processions, meals for
> the poor, and presents or candy for the children. The Roman Catholic
> Church was not pleased with these worldly expressions of the observance.
>
> After the Reformation, the Reformed Church tried to banish it as a
> Popish feast, but all efforts were in vain. Even the local authorities
> enacted several regulations to prevent the festivities. But Sinterklaas
> was too popular.
> During the period from 1750-1850 the authorities tried to "civilize" the
> Sinterklaas feast. They knew they could not stamp it out, so the
> authorities tried to isolate the celebration to within the family
> circle. Finally the intentions of the local aythorities succeeded. The
> Sint Nicolaas feast was then used to encourage the children to work
> harder at school and obey their parents and teachers in exchange for
> presents and candy. It had become a feast for the educators and
> moralists.
>
> On the evening of December 5th the children receive their presents. That
> evening is called "pakjes-avond" (package night). In some families Sint
> Nicolaas himself is present to give the gifts away. Sinterklaas is
> supposted to live in Spain and during the last century he is accompanied
> by an assistant, called Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). He is supposed to
> descend down the chimney to put the gifts in the shoes of the children.
> With a burned cork the face of this assistant was painted black and he
> used to have the role of the boogeyman. Fortunately, his make-up can be
> bought in a shop and his role now is more of a clown and the friend of
> the children.
>
>
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