Hans Trapp, a similar figure to the Houseker, in Alsace, France, 1953;
Credit: Guy Frank - Almanach de Wintzenheim (Wikimedia Commons)
Despite its compact size, Luxembourg has its fair share of fables, folktales, myths and legends, from a mermaid and a wild woman to a wolfman and an underwater bogeyman.
In this series of articles, Chronicle.lu will be delving into some of these tales and their lasting impact in Luxembourg.
Next up is the "Houseker". Every year on 6 December ("Kleeserchersdag" or Saint Nicholas Day), young children in Luxembourg look forward to waking up to gifts and sweets from the "Kleeschen" (Saint Nicholas). However, "naughty" children risk receiving twigs from his frightening companion, the Houseker.
Traditionally, the Kleeschen is depicted as an old man with white hair and a beard, who wears a red bishop's mitre and carries a bishop's crosier (staff). Accompanying this beloved figure is the fear-inspiring Houseker who typically wears dark clothes and carries a bag full of twigs for those children who failed to make the "nice" list...
The Luxembourgish figure shares similarities with Black Pete ("Zwarte Piet") in the Netherlands, although the Houseker is arguably a less controversial figure.
