Originally, the Sinterklaas feast celebrates the name day, 6 December of Saint Nicholas, a patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas was a saint from Spain and had a black helper depicted as a Morisco page. St. Nicholas was well known in Spain as the patron of sailors, which is also the reason why he comes to the Netherlands on a steamboat. Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses. These helpers are called ‘Zwarte Pieten’. The Sinterklaas feast was originally an occasion to help the poor, by putting money in their shoes (which evolved into putting presents in children’s shoes) and a wild feast, similar to carnival.
Nowadays, some people feel discriminated by the fact that Sinterklaas is assisted by Zwarte Pieten. However, as the Zwarte Pieten do this voluntarily, they cannot be considered as slaves. The first Zwarte Piet was a slave from Ethiopia which Saint Nicholas freed from his masters by paying for his freedom. This man – named Pitter – was so happy with Saint Nicholas’ actions that he promised him to help him in order to thank him for what he did. This means Zwarte Piet has never been a slave of Sinterklaas, but an employee.
Children do not see Zwarte Piet as something bad or discriminative
Also, Dutch people – especially children – do not see Zwarte Piet as a slave of Sinterklaas. Only one percent sees Zwarte Piet as a slave of Sinterklaas. The majority thinks Zwarte Piet is Sinterklaas’ friend. Children state that Zwarte Piet is cool because eventually, he is the one giving presents, handing out sweets and doing awesome stunts! In comparison to Zwarte Piet, children find Sinterklaas boring. Why do you think children always dress up as Zwarte Piet instead of Sinterklaas? Because they love Zwarte Piet! Moreover, in the past, children thought Sinterklaas was a bit scary because he was so strict. Zwarte Piet was the one who created the nice atmosphere. This shows that children (and adults as well) do not have a negative and / or discriminative perception about Zwarte Piet.
Many people who feel like Zwarte Piet is racism, say that children will link the Zwarte Pieten as slaves to people with a dark skin color. They are afraid children will discriminate them. However, the fact that Zwarte Piet can be discriminative against these people, is not understood by 86% of the children(source). Zwarte Piet is a friend of the children, someone that children look up to. Thus, Zwarte Piet is a positive role model in the Dutch society as Dutch children say themselves.
What do you think of Zwarte Piet? Are you going to put your shoe in front of the chimney tonight?
I believe that Sinterklaas is a celebration for children, it is meant as something fun and I have never considered it as discrimination. I can imagine that people who are not Dutch and have never experienced Sinterklaas will think it is but I think that in order to have a proper judgement about this you need to experience it yourself. In addition, Sinterklaas and his zwarte pieten bring smiles on children's faces and that is what this festive is all about. When you compare Santa Claus with his 'elfs' that could also be considered as discrimination regarding that they are represented by persons of restricted growth. However the main point is that it is meant for children and about their happiness.
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