The remains of St.Nicholas was stolen by İtalians from Myra-Demre (Turkey), and brought to Bari in 1087. Centuries later in 1494, the tradition began in Alsace with Sebastian Brant, he brings food and gifts to the poor and children. From the 15th century the tradition of Santa Claus spreat among Dutch people.
Netherlands had eighty years war, "Tachtigjarige Oorlog" (1568-1648), Protestant Church-Catholic Church. The Crusaders had learned the tradition of St.Nicholas. Saint's outfit is very similar to the clothes of high-ranking Catholic bishops. He wears a red cape with 33 buttons, the age of Jesus when he was crucifixed. Have a baton in the sprial form like the pope does. Anyway...
Why comes St Nicholas or in the Dutch language Sinterklaas from Spain with Zwarte Piet (Black-African Piet)? At that time this tradition was made to convert protestants into catholics. That's why it was forbidden in the 1600, even Martin Luther was against it. But in many places tradition continued secretly while it was forbidden in the public areas. When it came to 1895 it was argued, to forbid also at schools, but in the 20th century things go out of hand and everybody started to celebrate.
The slave trade of the Netherlands begins with eastablishment of the Dutch West India Company (shorlty WIC) in 1621. The WIC get permission from the government to fight against Spain-Portuguese navy with a title "Fighting Pirate Ship". As a slave trader and colonist, he becomes a major political player in the Atlantic region. Slave trade is monopolized by the Dutch WIC until 1730. However in 1720 the Middelburg Commercial Company was established as a rival to WIC. Slave marked opened in Rotterdam and Amsterdam and becomes largest Dutch company in the world. But at the end of the 18th century, with British pressure slave trade ended in 1814. But Netherlands recognizes the freedom of slaves in 1863, as one of the last countries in Europe.
In 1850's rumors spread that the slave trade shall end. An educater, Jan Schenkman was inspired by a story that was written a few years ago "an old man with a white hair, freed his slaves son in his deathbed" and wrote a child book "Sint Nicholass en zijn Knecht" (Saint Nicholas and his Servant). In 1895 with a new book "Het feest van Sint Nicholaas" (Holiday of Saint Nicholas) comes a new character as "Piet". Piet comes from Pieter and was a common name among slave boys. So was Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet (Saint Nicholaas and his Black Servant Piet) introduced to Dutch children. After WW2 assistant Piet, and more permanent place with the tradition.
The Dutchs are dissatisfied with the Spaniards, especially Catholics, because of the 80 years war. They took their revenge by bringing Sinterklaas with his servant Black Piet from Spain. Because Black Piet represents slavery, and the Dutchs don't wanna pass on the new generation that they were slave traders, and humiliated the Spaniards, after all they were also slave traders. Saint represents the "master" the "owner" and of course the Catholic cardinal. For today, it is thought to be removed as perceived as racism, and in some places Piet was completely removed from celebrations.
Sinterklaas is going to America
In the 1620s the colonist who came from Europe to settle in America brought their culture to. In the beginning they where tired, ill and hungry after months of journey. The Natives meet them with goodwill, give food and help. In 1637 governor of Massachusset Colonial John Winthrop celebrated Thanksgiving for his men who fought the Natives and returned safely, which killed more then 600 men, women and children who left their weapons. This Thanksgiving Day actually a harvest meal organized by the Natives and the first colonists, but from that day it has became separate from the Indegenous people. For the Natives it is still Mourning Day.
Main menu in Christmas celebrations in Europe was pigs, but in America became turkey (hindi in Turkish, maybe trade from Turkey to Europe and thats why they are calling so, after a country!). Natives gave turkeys to the first colonists, after all there are plenty. In 1863 President Lincoln proposed that the Thanksgiving Day be a national holiday, but after many years later int 1941 it was declared as a national holiday, and they celebrated on the last Thursday of November.
Sinterklaas celebrations were brought to America by the Dutchs in the 17th century. After the independence war against the British in 1776, the Americans abandoned the European cultural tradition over time, becoming Americanized. One of these is Sinterklaas. Santa Claus tradition was combined with Christmas. They wanted get used the religious feast for the children . He didn't came from Spain but from the North Pole. The purpose of that was the claim of the North Pole. Zwarte Piet became Elf, because they had a civil war against slavery. When it comes to the 19th century, stories and poems spreading throughout the continent about Santa Claus and became traditional.
In 1930s a Swedish-American artist Haddon Sundblom created an icon for coca cola, inspired by a book written in the 1822s about Santa Claus. Actually there was a marketing tactic. Santa Claus a popular figure, so the market of coca cola grows . Some says that coca cola invented Santa Claus icon :) No. How is the figure from the 6th century, then 16th century, then in America from the 17th century much younger then the coca cola from the 1930s? Even his name ws changed from Saint Nicholas - Cholas - Klaas = Sinterklaas, then Klaas - Claus = Santa Claus. Because the Netherlands call Christmas Kerstmis, call Santa Claus as Kerstman, but it is the same person. Santa Claus came back to Netherland as Kerstman and celebrated on December 24-25, on the other side Sinterklaas on 5-6 December :)
After the 50s Santa Claus becam more important person then Jesus, and became commercialsm. The church is concerned about it today. And Christmas is not the birth of Jesus, but a tradition of the Hun-Turks who came to Europe in the 5th century the "Rebirth of the Sun" begining of a new year, and was called Nardugan. But long before that time the Turks have always celebrated the Rebirth of the Sun. We are not born in the 11th century like the re-write history books claims. ;) Even among Sumerians they celebrated with the same name (considering other Turkish-Sumerian words).
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas
SB.
(Sorry for my mistakes in English, hope to be understandable)
To read more about Nardogan , especially Muazzez İlmiye Çığ, Sumerologist words. (I do not share from wiki because I do not trust them, they change every word, especially about Turkish history, but this one is ok.)
Aziz Nicholas - Sinterklaas - Santa Claus
Sabazios - Dionysos - İsa
Hollanda'dan Amerika'ya gitmesi
Colacıların tüccar mantığı
Türkçesi için link
(Türkçesi KUYETA, Kuşadası Yerel Tarih Dergisi, 85-86-87 sayılarında da çıkmıştır)
(Türkçesi KUYETA, Kuşadası Yerel Tarih Dergisi, 85-86-87 sayılarında da çıkmıştır)
Huzur ve Barış dileklerimle,
Nardugan Kutlu olsun....
SB
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