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Sinterklaas traditions and expat observations

As most children in the Netherlands prepare to celebrate the period of Sinterklaas, some of us expats can be left overwhelmed with this uniquely Dutch tradition, without understanding the history behind it. Some aspects might be shocking (blackface), others might be endearing (leaving carrots in shoes for Sint’s horse). Join us as Delft MaMa Anitha Raj, hailing from India, shares a little background on Sinterklaas followed by her observations of this annual tradition.

by Anitha Raj

Winter: A most festive season

Lights along the canals of Delft. PC: Kate Groves

December in the Netherlands is a month of joy, laughter, festivals, lights, sweets and get togethers. There is happiness in the air all around. It is Christmas time and every nook and cranny is filled with celebration.

Delft Intocht 2017. PC: Kate Groves

But the real joy begins a little earlier, in the month of November, with the arrival of the Netherland’s most beloved patron saint, Saint Nicholas—or Sinterklaas as he is known here—by steamboat from Spain. His arrival is an annual celebration called Intocht, and every year the boat arrives in a different Dutch port. The steamboat anchors and the Sinterklaas disembarks and parades through the streets on his horse, welcomed by people cheering and singing traditional Sinterklaas songs.

Who they are: Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten

PC: Pixabay

Sinterklaas is a serious old man with a long white beard and a red robe over a traditional white gown, and he rides a white horse, named Amerigo. He carries a red book that is believed to contain all the good and bad things children have done all through the year. The children who eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas know he brings gifts for good children. (I believe that parents would secretly thank Sinterklaas for being able to help them get their children in order!)

Sinterklaas doesn’t come alone. He has his companions who also happen to be his helpers. The arrival of these strange men amuses the crowd more. These helpers are called the Zwarte Pieten (“Black Petes”), and they wear colorful Moorish outfits with lace collars and feathered caps.

PC: Pixabay

More importantly for the children, however, it is the bags that they carry, containing candies or small, round gingerbread-like cookies—kruidnoten (hard and crunchy) or pepernoten (soft and chewy)—that they throw into the crowd. What more do you need, than the delicious candies??

The Zwarte Pieten also carry a chimney sweep’s broom made of willow branches, which they also use to spank the children who had been naughty. Even naughtier children are put in their bags and are taken back to Spain. The message is clear for children to behave!

Intocht

Intocht Den Haag 2016. PC: Kate Groves

Following this national arrival, every other town celebrates its own Intocht van Sinterklaas. Local arrivals usually take place a little later. Say for instance, Intocht in 2018 is on the 17th November, but in Delft, Sinterklaas arrives on the 24th November with his Pieten and Amerigo. In places without a port, Sinterklaas arrives by train, horse, horse-drawn carriage or even on a fire truck. Here is that beautiful song the crowd sings to welcome the goed heilig man (“good holy man”) and his team.

Sinterklaas, Goed Heilig Man

Sinterklaas, goed heilig man!

Trek uw beste tabberd an,

Reis er mee naar Amsterdam,

Van Amsterdam naar Spanje,

Appeltjes van oranje,

Appeltjes van de bomen,

Sinterklaas zal komen!

Set out your shoe

PC: Pixabay

In the weeks between his arrival and his Feast Day (5 December), Sinterklaas also visits schools, hospitals and shopping centers. He rides his white horse on the rooftops delivering gifts to children through the chimneys. Before going to bed, children put their shoes next to the fireplace or the radiators. They put a carrot or some hay in the shoes and a bowl of water for Amerigo or some food and drink for the Pieten. They then sing a Sinterklaas song, such as this one:

Sinterklaas Kapoentje

Sinterklaas kapoentje,

Gooi wat in mijn schoentje,

Gooi wat in mijn laarsje,

Dank je Sinterklaasje!

Those children wake to find little treats in their shoes—usually mandarins, sometimes pepernoten, chocolate coins, or even a chocolate letter.

Pakjesavond

The main celebration, however, is on the 5th of December, Pakjesavond, with gifts. And sadly, Sinterklaas departs without any ado on the 6th December. The wait now begins again!!!

An expat’s observations

Being an expat, the whole Sinterklaas celebration intrigues me. I just can’t get enough of it even after witnessing the Intocht, year after year. I have a 4-year-old who now knows all about Sinterklaas and can hardly wait until his arrival in Delft on the 24th of this month. All of a sudden, our chimney has become her most favorite part of the house. Her biggest concern was whether or not our chimney was big enough for Sinterklaas to drop her gift. She keeps checking to make sure it won’t prevent her gift from dropping down!

It feels so good to see her leave some food for the horse. What a way to build humanity in children!

All these old practices always have a very deep hidden meaning, more than just the celebration and fun. For me, the meaning of this Sinterklaas tradition is:

  • Sinterklaas: respect for your elders. They are precious resources to teach cultural values and new things to children;
  • Zwarte Piet: Black or White, Short or Tall, Thin or Stout, Important or Silly – treat them all as equals;
  • Gifts: good behavior is always rewarded! Quite a simple message, but powerful enough to discipline kids;
  • Pepernoten: the blessing might be really small, but appreciate it and give thanks for it;
  • Spanks: not everything in life is rewarded. Sometimes punishment for bad behavior is inevitable, and sometimes it’s necessary to change one’s attitude;
  • Leaving food and drink for Amerigo and Zwarte Pieten: teaches humanity. Help others when you can; and finally,
  • Life is all about cherishing the simple moments and rejoicing every celebration!

I hope you enjoy Sinterklaas as much as we do. Welcome, Sinterklaas, to Delft!

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