AIBU to think images of Santo Niňo Jesus are deliberately creepy?

[MRex]

DH was questioning which countries Santa went to (related to a discussion about how many boozy drinks he was given per year). So we discovered the concept of Niňo Jesus in South America, who leaves presents on Christmas Eve. The statues though, every single one of them looks really creepy! Imagine finding this creature in the corner of your living room dropping off gifts:
images.app.goo.gl/hL5YkxvpxC3Q5vqF9

Part of me is surprised they can make an infant so ugly, given that most babies and toddlers are cute, but mostly I'm wondering why they make him ugly. AIBU to think they must be deliberately making these images creepy?

@SchrodingersImmigrant

😁

Brilliant!

What is that tapestry all about?

Looks a bit like Corky the horse / camel from Bottle Top Bill.

@SinkGirl

Years ago I saw a compilation video from (I think) the Czech Republic, where a demon goes round to check whether kids have been naughty and if so they’ll be taken to hell. The kids were literally terrified and screaming.

I’ll take the baby Jesus Santa over that any day.

That's begining of December. Few countries have the tradition. St Nicholas with angels and krampuses. They bring sweets. Or coal. Depending on how good the kid was. The scare last few minutes and as soon as the door close behind krampus, it's forgotten withing minutes. It's great fun.

Baby Jesus comes on Christmas Eve.

There are different Krampus traditions atound the area. And there are absolutely amazing Krampus events around Central Europe. Some of the costumes are so impressive!

@MRex

How do you show the image as a thumbnail please?

I just attach them with the attach icon and they show like this

Krampus parade 😁

I knew about Krampus generally but I’m pretty sure this didn’t use the term Krampus and it seemed pretty extreme compared to what I’d seen from elsewhere - may not have been CR, wish I could find the article now, as I feel like I’m going mad and imagining it 😂

Ever been to an art gallery?!

Saville-Dor Dali

It was probably CR. It's called different, not Krampus. Same thing though. Still fun.
The week before and after all kids have perfectly brushed teeth and eat whatever you give them without arguing😂
The evening after, indulge on sweets and laugh. The next day you tell all your mates how they are wusses and you didn't cry (you did and you did sing for St Nicholas) and how you were told you are the best (no, you were told off for this and that) and how you got massive bag of sweets😁 There is also a sweet exchange going on.

There’s a video here - footage starts around 35 seconds. It was CR - video says it’s meant to be the devil, but that could be incorrect 😬

That would have messed me up as a kid - I was a proper wimp 😂

@SinkGirl it's just a translation.
It took me a while to realise that Krampus is the most appropriate. Devil is more like a Lucifer. Lucifer is too busy to go around😂
These are the workers around in hell. Not really demons. Krampuses?

MRex The baby Jesus used to bring me presents in Italy. I saw Father Christmas as an American thing.
He's becoming more popular now though.

I don't think they are creepy, they are the sort of statues you'd find in Catholic churches.

Krampi?

@SinkGirl

Krampi?

Probably😁

I am sure there is a word fir them but I soent so much time explaining what they are that I was so happy when everyone got to know Krampus (which looks the same and is evil) that I just call it that now. Saves me like 5 min of life😁

I forgot about Krampus and the coal, that's a fun tradition!