Is there anything missing from your pastoral Nativity scene? “Nope, nothing,” you say. Are you sure? Let’s do the tally: you’ve got Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, some shepherds, an angel or two, some lowing cattle and maybe even a trio of wise guys.
But how about a festive little defecator? That’s right, someone hidden away behind a tree or in a shady corner of the barn, “just being natural” and fertilizing the earth? Have you got one of those?
If you’re Catalan, then the answer is probably: “sí”. El caganer is a little guy they like to hide somewhere in the pessebre (Nativity scene). He is said to symbolize fertility (of the earth, at least!), good health, good fortune and peace of mind.
Frankly, I’m not a big fan of “bathroom humour” (though I must sheepishly disclose I almost titled this post Ho ho ho…plop!). I do enjoy irreverence, however, and I have to say that I find this quirky tradition to be quite…er…wholesome. So, while in Barcelona recently (in early December; the perfect time to visit la Fira de Santa Llúcia in front of Barcelona’s cathedral), I shopped around and bought a few caganers for myself and “lucky” friends.
Speaking of bathroom humour, Catalans have at least one other scatological Christmas tradition. It’s the Caga Tió, which gives a new meaning to the term “Christmas log”. While I was at the Fira, I witnessed large groups of children chanting and beating a giant Tió with sticks, hoping to inspire him to give them lots of presents. I have to admit that such chanting and violent acting-out is more something I would have expected from spoiled North American kids…
You can read more about Catalan Christmas traditions here.
Finally a new post!! I’ve been waiting days… its been hard.
So, Mata Hari, you’re spying on me? Well, if someone’s actually reading these things, maybe I’ll have to make more of an effort! Thanks! And you know, I never “matahari” I didn’t like.