Tue, 9 February 2010
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Having learned the truth about jovial Santa Claus the hard way, you now have to come to grips with Sint Nicolaas and Zwarte Piet. Cormac Mac Ruairi and Pep Brouwers present a guide to help you make the transition.When it comes to discussing the Dutch phenomenon of Sint Nicolaas and his feast day, Sinterklaas, on 5 December, many expats go straight for the jugular: his black "helpers", (Zwarte Pieten, singular Zwarte Piet) are really a caricature of black slaves.
Zwarte Pieten, not chimney sweeps
A libel, say Dutch traditionalists. To them, Zwarte Piet is Sint's valued companion; his black hue may owe more to his clambering up and down chimneys than his ethnic origin. (Although it is unclear how soot can bring about frizzy Afro hair and big red lips.) There is another view, held by both some expats and locals, namely: who cares? Sinterklaas is about having fun and goodwill to all. 
Your view on the subject will help you pass the hours in rigorous arguments with opponents in the bar or at work but it won't help you get through Sinterklaas with Dutch in-laws and a brood of expectant children.
Here are some pointers that might help:
Who's that guy?
According to the online Wikipedia, Saint Nicholas, also known as Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas (a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas) in the Netherlands and Flanders, is the common name for the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Saint Nicholas lived in 4th century Byzantine Lycia (modern Turkey) and had a reputation for secret gift-giving. He is seen as the main inspiration for the character of Santa Claus. Among Orthodox Christians, he is remembered with more reverence and less frivolity.
For some reason he resides most of the year in Spain and comes by boat to the Netherlands — with his Moorish Zwarte Pieten — in the latter part of November in preparation for his present-delivery service on 5 December. While here, he rides around on a white horse.
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