Pennsylvania Dutch Archives

America and the Old, Dark Christmas

December 4, 2021 boneandsickle America, American lore, Belsnickel, Christmas, EPISODE, folklore, Germany, history, holidays, New Year, Santa Claus, Twelve Days of Christmas

In earlier centuries, Americans partook in many of the same dark Christmas traditions that gave birth to Europe’s Krampus. This[…]

Witches, Healers, and Hex Cats in Old Pennsylvania

June 12, 2021 boneandsickle America, Braucherei, EPISODE, folk magic, folklore, grimoires, Hex Cats, Hexerei, history, legends, local legends, Pennsylvania, Pow-Wow, witchcraft

Stories of witchcraft and folk-healers in early Pennsylvania are surprisingly plentiful. In this episode, we examine the state’s German-American tradition[…]