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Zwarte Pieten

12:56 Apr 27, 2009

Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Folklore

Dutch term or phrase: Zwarte Pieten

What is history or folklore for this term?

Jim Donnelly

Summary of reference entries provided

Wiki says

vic voskuil

Discussion entries: 1

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16 mins

Reference: Wiki says

Reference information:
"Zwarte Piet," Sinterklaas' helping hand Black Pete, has his origin in the bishop's legendary past. Three small Moorish boys were sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. The bishop intervened and they were saved. To show their gratitude, the boys stayed with Sinterklaas to help him, tumbling and jumping on rooftops on Sinterklaas night to deliver presents. Their black skin may refer either to their Moorish background, or to the job of chimneysweep, an option is corroborated by their clothes, reminiscent of an Italian chimneysweep's costume and Pete's rooftop occupation. Another background story for Pete is that he is the devil who was enslaved by Sinterklaas. Nowadays, children in the Netherlands are told that the Pieten work for Sinterklaas voluntarily and that there is a special school in Spain where they learn their trade. In the weeks before December 5th, Dutch primary schools often hold Zwarte Piet exams during P.E. class, at the end of which the children are given a ‘Pietendiploma’ (Petes diploma).

Sinterklaas originally had only one Zwarte Piet. The concept of many Pieten was introduced by the Canadians when they helped organising the first post-WWII Sinterklaas celebration. Most traditional Sinterklaas songs still mention only one Zwarte Piet.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

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