[Marco82]

I was in Amsterdam once when they were having these celebrations - they had loads of little guys 'blacked up' throwing sweets to all the kids. I didnt have a clue what was going on - it seemed well fucked up!

Some explanation about the "black slaves" as Robert called them. The story goes that Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) helpers (zwarte Pieten/ black Petes) are black because they represent the Moors that lived in Spain and Portugal a couple of hundred years ago. Apart from the three weeks a year that he is in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas lives in Spain, so that's the link between the two. Why he lives in Spain is something that nobody really knows, because Saint Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (part of modern day Turkey) and his relics are in Bari (Italy).

Another story that goes around is that the zwarte Pieten are black because they have to go through the chimneys to put presents in childrens shoes.

Here some explanation about the whole Sinterklaas/ Saint Nicholas thing for those who are interested but can't be arsed to google it up

[Squeaky]

You sure did your homework Marco.

One of my neighbours is from Australia and she bought dolls of the black petes for her family. Apparently it's impossible to get black dolls there. I called them black slaves but you have to admit, how strange must this look for outstanders

[reid]

Black slaves did sound a bit funny - especially with the colonial past and everything

[Marco82]

You sure did your homework Marco.

One of my neighbours is from Australia and she bought dolls of the black petes for her family. Apparently it's impossible to get black dolls there. I called them black slaves but you have to admit, how strange must this look for outstanders

That's the beauty of local or national traditions, that nobody else understands it.

[mr.pure]

But then again, Spain and Portugal are very close to Africa over the straits so it's more than likely that the "helpers" were in fact slaves.

[Lorrie]

Spent the day in the hospital, waiting for mom to come out of surgery. Successful, thank goodness!

[cracky]

^ Hope she makes a full recovery Lorrie, my mum goes into hospital sometime this week for a long stay.

[dregz]

Hope the SSDB mums recover quick time.

Pure you got a good point there mate.
Apparently the 'Zwarte Piet' surfaced in the Netherlands early 19th century, alot of countries were still practicing slavery back then so it's unlikey that any black figures at that time would be considered as anything but slaves. Even those belonging to Santa.

[Superstarr]

Hope she makes a full recovery and gets well soon Lorrie. I also hope you're mum comes out of hospital as quick as possible cracky.

[sab]

OOoooooh poorly Mammas. Get well soon. Hope its not to serious for them both.

Spend the day reading a job advert several million times. The old dilema "do i, dont i apply" Less money but my dream job. Decision made = going to apply will get more satisfaction from the post if i get it. Also it means entering into that sordid world known as erghhhhhhhhhh 9 -5.