Front Porch Conversations: An Appalachian Tradition – ‘Be good or the Belsnickle will get you’

Can you talk about Belsnickling for the Christmas Holiday?

Welcome to our Front Porch!

The Belsnickle (Nicholas in furs) tradition originated in Germany, but made its way to the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia when German settlers relocated to the area of Shepherdstown in the 1700s. And, even though we don’t see Belsnicklers much today, it was once a very important part of the Christmas season. 

A Belsnickle is a gruff figure in German folklore, usually dressed in old fur. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, he would visit children in the neighborhood and give them candy if they were good, or a switch on the hand if they were bad. In some traditions, the Belsnickle was a spy for Santa Claus himself, and would report back to the jolly ol’ elf if the children were naughty. 

However, in West Virginia, particularly in locations around the Eastern Panhandle, a much tamer and more hospitable version of the Belsnickle took hold. 

Groups of friends, known as Belsnicklers would dress up in creative masquerade costumes and go door to door spreading cheer, or mischief, as homeowners would have to guess their identity. In turn, these Belsnicklers would receive cakes and cider from the homeowner, according to information found on e-WV, the state’s online encyclopedia. 

The Belsnickle tradition began to fall out of favor following World War II, but it is still remembered in popular culture and through memories.