The Virgin Mary. The three kings. A few wayward sheep. These are the figures one expects to find in a traditional Christmas nativity scene. Not a smartly dressed peasant squatting behind a rock with his rear-end exposed.
Yet statuettes of "El Caganer," or the great defecator in the Catalan language, can be found in nativity scenes, and increasingly on the mantelpieces of collectors, throughout Spain's northeastern Catalonia region, where for centuries symbols of defecation have played an important role in Christmas festivities.
During the holiday season, pastry shops around Catalonia sell sweets shaped like feces, and on Christmas Eve Catalan children beat a hollow log, called the tio, packed with holiday gifts, singing a song that urges it to defecate presents out the other end.
These traditions, in the case of the caganer dating back as far as the 17th century, come from an agricultural society where defecation was associated with fertility and health.
While the traditional caganer is a red-capped peasant, more modern renditions have gained popularity in recent years.
"During the holiday season, pastry shops around Catalonia sell sweets shaped like feces...."
Where can we buy those around here? I want some of those for sure!
Defecation as a Christmas symbol? I don't think so. It's a disgusting idea.
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Reyn
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 01:35 pm
Aww, c'mon! Where's your christmas spirit?
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edgarblythe
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 01:55 pm
That's what I'm telling ya.
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DrewDad
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 02:51 pm
To feces own.
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NickFun
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 02:54 pm
In Spain the Yuletide greeting is "EAT ****!!!"
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fbaezer
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 02:57 pm
Spaniards do have a fixation:
El Caganer, the figurine:
Child playing Caganer at the school Xmas show:
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NickFun
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 02:59 pm
Children dressed up as pieces of ****? What is this world coming to???
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fbaezer
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:33 pm
No no no. He's dressed as the sh¡tting peasant!
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DrewDad
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:35 pm
Get your crap together, Nick.
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fbaezer
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:35 pm
A bit more on the Caganer tradition.
Here we have a very stylish Caganer statue in the streets of Barcelona:
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DrewDad
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:38 pm
That statue manages to be both Dada and Kaka.
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hamburger
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:39 pm
i remember someone offering "saltwater toffee" in the shape of dog-turds at an office christmas party !
she came with a full box of "treats" ; she left with a full box of "treats" !
hbg
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Reyn
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 03:58 pm
DrewDad wrote:
That statue manages to be both Dada and Kaka.
Good one, Drew! You just know where this quote is going. :wink:
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hamburger
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 04:04 pm
how did my "saltwater toffee" wind up as " xxxx toffee" ?
i don't even know how to find those characters on my keyboard .
hbg
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Reyn
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Fri 22 Dec, 2006 06:55 pm
H has been naughty again.
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DrewDad
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Sat 23 Dec, 2006 01:24 am
At least he didn't type AUTO SPAM FILTER or AUTO SPAM FILTER!