Will the Zwarte Piet Tradition in the Netherlands Ever Die?
No, and it doesn’t have to.
However, it is a very good idea to rid the Zwarte Piet from any and all references to race. There are numerous options for helpers that would better fit the current era. Changing the appearance of Zwarte Piet won’t really alter the core narrative of the tradition, which is essentially the same as every other 'Santa and his helpers' variation. Children care not whether there is a different helper next year.
In fact, while support for the tradition is still overwhelming, it is quickly declining in recent years. I expect a fairly sudden switch to a new and improved Piet in the near future. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re still having this discussion in 2025.
The Declining Support for Zwarte Piet
Support for the Zwarte Piet tradition is waning in the Netherlands. Recent years have seen a growing opposition to the character's portrayal. The tradition, as it is prevalent in most of the Netherlands, will die in its present form—offensive to many. I can be so sure about this because, in my lifetime, it has considerably changed, contrary to the claims of traditionalists.
Utilizing the Dutch Wikipedia, we can see that the history of Zwarte Piet in its present form began in the 19th century and has undergone significant changes. The tradition originally consisted of Sinterklaas and a supernatural creature personified by a dressed-up human. Virtually all cultures have similar traditions based on their respective mythologies, all attempts to explain the world and structure society: A holy man who punishes bad and rewards good behavior, often a personification of a god.
Light and Dark: A Universal Symbolism
To balance good and bad and distinguish benevolence from retribution, people universally believe that the light of the sun, making sight and growth possible and warming the earth and body, is personified by light colors, often white. Conversely, the darkness of the night and the winter, which bring cold and nocturnal terrors and unfamiliar dangers, is depicted by black and dark colors.
A white horse or unicorn is a sign of beauty and goodness, while a black cat often accompanies or even represents a malevolent witch. Frequently, the two aspects, reward and retribution, incentive and punishment, are personified by two different characters. The one dressed in white, the other in dark and black. The one with light skin, the other with dark skin.
In mythologies, the characters take all sorts of forms, names, and accompanying histories, but in essence, they are all the same. In North West Europe, the character of Saint Nicholas, built on earlier religions and exotica, took on the role of a punisher and rewarder, supporting the educational efforts of parents. Originally alone and fulfilling both parts, he later was accompanied by a second figure, obedient to the main character, who preserved the benevolent characteristics while his servant-companion took on the grimmer aspects, represented in his outward appearance—grim, dark, and black. Not surprisingly, given the historical context, the dark-skinned Moors, who until the 16th century had threatened Europe from the South, accompanied the Saintly Nicholas, originally from Turkey, who relocated to Spain. Both areas being in the hands of the dreaded Moors or Arabs with their dark skins, white teeth, and exotic colorful dress.
Adaptation and Change
The development of Saint Nicholas and Zwarte Piet in their present form was heavily influenced by historic and cultural peculiarities and supported by stories that were incorporated into the cultural tradition of this region of the world. In my youth, Zwarte Piet's face was invariably blackened by soot from a burned cork. When professional greasepaint became available, this supplanted the soot, and the story was adapted so that the color no longer was caused by climbing down chimneys but an integral part of Zwarte Piet. A happy coincidence, because central heating had replaced fireplaces and coal-fueled hearths, and parents had no trouble convincing their children that a heater radiator might offer an entry place for Saint Nicholas's servant. These changes occurred during my lifetime, and such alterations and adaptations, sometimes only regional, always occurred and will continue to take place.
I would invite you to consider that until the 1960s, race segregation was rampant in large parts of the USA and even later in South Africa. Mythologies take some time to adapt to new insights.
The future of Zwarte Piet lies in its continued adaptation. As we move closer to 2025, it is evident that the tradition will undergo significant changes, reflecting evolving societal norms and values. The goal should be to preserve the joy and spirit of Sinterklaas while respecting and embracing contemporary social awareness.