The Sacred Clown Union
DATELINE: Madison, Wisconsin, USA. February 25
Sacred clowns came down on Wisconsin state capitol. Protesters unwittingly revived an ancient European sacred clown tradition previously thought extinct in North America. KRAMPUS!, also known as the “henchmen of Saint Nick,” were thought to be non-existent in all but a few remote Tyrolian villages, but it seems their population is actually growing “under the radar” in the American midwest spurred on by labor unrest in the face of government corruption there.
And it isn’t even Christmas!
Seems Anonymous might have some company. More on this on the Modern Mythology website.
I also received a missive from their chief organizer, in reaction to criticism that Krampus is generally known for running around, beating children. Here’s a sample:
Some of our clowns definitely take inspiration from Krampus–“the henchmen of Saint Nick” thing you find in the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps. We live in Wisconsin, a bastion of German heritage, and we see those clowns as something we lost– something we want back!
The Nazis apparently hated Krampus. Our antlers tip in respect to those clowns. But this is global. We love love love the Japanese Namahage and the Native American Heyokas too! We embrace them all. If we have one reservation though, it involves terrorizing little children into obedience, servitude or serfdom. That makes us cry. We no like that. Here, we do take our cues more from the Native American clowns (as well as other intact tribal traditions), more so than Krampus (as it is performed in the Alps today).
We’re here to sweep away the vile spirit of big, greedy, power-mad ego– the ones that seemingly care so little for the children– the ones that would imperil their own grandchildren just to line their own pockets. Our heart-sworn ethic is to do this with humor, creativity, art, dance, music and absurdity. Yes, we would willingly spank naughty parents and politicians, but the children are sacrosanct. If we have one reservation though, it involves terrorizing little children into obedience, servitude or serfdom. That makes us cry. We no like that. Here, we do take our cues more from the Native American clowns (as well as other intact tribal traditions), more so than Krampus (as it is performed in the Alps today). We’re here to sweep away the vile spirit of big, greedy, power-mad ego– the ones that seemingly care so little for the children– the ones that would imperil their own grandchildren just to line their own pockets. Our heart-sworn ethic is to do this with humor, creativity, art, dance, music and absurdity. Yes, we would willingly spank naughtyparents and politicians, but the children are sacrosanct.”
