Bogyman

The Bogyman ( Hans Trapp ) is a sinister character, all vêtu of black, which accompanies Saint Nicolas in its festive exits. Whereas Saint Nicolas distributes gifts to the wise children, Bogyman the exemption of the whiplashes to the unpleasant young imps. In Belgium, Bogyman is African, wears clothing of bright colors and often has large rings in the ears (see photo).

Bogyman appeared at the 16th century. Perhaps born with Metz in 1552 during the seat of the city by the army of Charles Quint. The inhabitants of Metz made a procession with a mannequin with the effigy of the emperor through the streets before burning it. This mannequin would be at the origin of the legend.

The town of Metz gives its version of the character:

“ One of the legends tells that Bogyman was born in Metz in 1552, at the time of the seat of the city by the troops of Charles Quint. To give courage to the besieged inhabitants, the corporation of the tanners invents a grotesque character, armed with a whip, which continues damsels and damoiseaux. The following year, Metz is released. The character with the whip is ressuscity. Its passage coincides with that of Saint Nicolas. Its caricature will remain in the spirits under the name of Bogyman, a tanner of buttocks, guide of saint Nicolas, a distributer of gifts. ”

Bogyman in the world

Bogyman is called Hans Trapp in Alsace. One finds characters equivalent in many countries of Europe: Krampus in Bavaria and Austria, Zwarte Piet (Pierre (it) Black) with the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking Belgium. In Germany it is named Ruprecht or Knechtruprecht and Housecker with the Luxembourg.

In Swiss also, in certain catholic cantons like Freiburg, Saint Nicolas's Day, is surrounded by his/her fathers fouettard, called " Schmutzli" , in Swiss German.

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