A... African??? In the folklore and legends of the Netherlands, Zwarte Piet (meaning Black Pete) is a companion of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas) whose yearly feast in the Netherlands is (usually on the evening of) 5 December (Sinterklaas-avond, that is St. Nicolas Eve), when they distribute presents to all good children. The character of Zwarte Piet appears only in the weeks before Saint Nicholas's feast, first when the saint is welcomed with a parade as he arrives in the country (in the Netherlands by steam boat,from Spain), and is mainly targeted at children, who come to meet the saint as he visits stores, schools etc.

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