Sinterklaas Zwarte Pieten
Zwarte piet is the companion of saint nicholas in the folklore of the low countries.
Sinterklaas zwarte pieten. Once the sole punisher by the late 1960s the character had become more of a friend to children and the number of pieten at holiday events had multiplied. Sinterklaas in the former dutch colonies. The character first appeared in an 1850 book by amsterdam schoolteacher jan schenkman.
Originally sinterklaas was only accompanied with one or sometimes two zwarte pieten but just after the liberation of the netherlands canadian soldiers organized a sinterklaas party with many zwarte pieten and ever since this has been the custom each piet normally having his own dedicated task. People of the netherlands and other lowland countries will dress up as zwarte piet during the festivities of sinterklaas which falls on the evening of december 5 and during the day of december 6. Traditionally zwarte piet is black because he is a moor from spain.
Those portraying zwarte piet usually put on blackface and colourful renaissance attire in addition to curly wigs and bright red lipstick. Zwarte piets role in the sinterklaas celebrations has evolved over time as well. Zwarte piet black pete is the companion of sinterklaas stnicholas primarily in the folklore of the netherlands.