November 15, 2007: Caganer - the defecator in the Catalan Nativity scene

[sandypossum]

From Wikipedia:

“In Catalonia, as well as in the rest of Spain and in most of Italy and Southern France, the traditional Christmas decoration is a large model of the city of Bethlehem, similar to the Nativity scenes of the English-speaking world, but encompassing the entire city rather than just the typical manger scene. The Catalans have added an extra character that is not found in the manger scenes of any other culture. In addition to Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Shepherds and company, Catalans have the character known as the Caganer. This extra little character is often tucked away in some corner of the model, typically nowhere near the manger scene, where he is not easily noticed. There is a good reason for his obscure position in the display, for "caganer" translates from Catalan to English as "defecator", and that is exactly what this little statue is doing — defecating.”

You can buy them here – there’s something to please or offend everybody. They have Santa, Buddha, angels, famous sports people, politicians (yep, Dubya is there, but unfortunately not such a good likeness) – all doing a poo for Christmas. Grandmother is doing a whopper.