Caganer, Part 2
More information about the Catalan figure of the caganer (pronounced "ka - ya - ner") here.
To summarise ...
The caganer is a little figurine which features in Catalan nativity scenery. It's often concealed in the diorama, tucked away in the little corner in its traditional peasant's garb with its little red cap - a stocking tied with a black band - and its breeches round its ankles, crapping away in the same room as Baby Jesus.
Why?
WHO CARES? <80D
Oh? You still want a reason? Ah well, then. Here ...
The reasons for placing a man who is in the act of excreting solid waste from his posterior in a scene which is widely considered holy are as follows:
Just tradition.
Scatological humor.
Mythical Defecation by Dwarfs
Finding the Caganer is a fun game, especially for children.
The Caganer, by creating feces, is fertilizing the Earth. However, this is probably an a posteriori (no pun intended) explanation, and nobody would say they put the Caganer on the Nativity scene for this reason.
The Caganer represents the equality of all people e.g. regardless of status, race, gender everyone defecates.
Or maybe the artist's just telling everybody that this is all shite.
Also from Wiki:-
Caganers are easiest to find before Christmas in holiday markets, like the one in front of the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, which has tables and tables of caganers.
Oh, to be in Catalonia in the runup to Christmas, just to see that ...
Also a firm tradition in Europe: the Tió de Nadal, or ... Christmas log.
Here's a song they sing:
caga tió,
caga turró,
avellanes i mató,
si no cagues bé
et daré un cop de bastó.
caga tió!
Shit, log,
shit torrons,
hazelnuts and cheese,
if you don't shit well,
I'll hit you with a stick.
Shit, log!
Some homes have "Christmas logs" which are essentially chocolate Swiss rolls decorated with icing sugar to resemble snow frosting. I'll bet you all regret having eaten yours, now.
And that is the last of it now, until next year. :)
To summarise ...
The caganer is a little figurine which features in Catalan nativity scenery. It's often concealed in the diorama, tucked away in the little corner in its traditional peasant's garb with its little red cap - a stocking tied with a black band - and its breeches round its ankles, crapping away in the same room as Baby Jesus.
Why?
WHO CARES? <80D
Oh? You still want a reason? Ah well, then. Here ...
The reasons for placing a man who is in the act of excreting solid waste from his posterior in a scene which is widely considered holy are as follows:
Just tradition.
Scatological humor.
Mythical Defecation by Dwarfs
Finding the Caganer is a fun game, especially for children.
The Caganer, by creating feces, is fertilizing the Earth. However, this is probably an a posteriori (no pun intended) explanation, and nobody would say they put the Caganer on the Nativity scene for this reason.
The Caganer represents the equality of all people e.g. regardless of status, race, gender everyone defecates.
Or maybe the artist's just telling everybody that this is all shite.
Also from Wiki:-
Caganers are easiest to find before Christmas in holiday markets, like the one in front of the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, which has tables and tables of caganers.
Oh, to be in Catalonia in the runup to Christmas, just to see that ...
Also a firm tradition in Europe: the Tió de Nadal, or ... Christmas log.
Here's a song they sing:
caga tió,
caga turró,
avellanes i mató,
si no cagues bé
et daré un cop de bastó.
caga tió!
Shit, log,
shit torrons,
hazelnuts and cheese,
if you don't shit well,
I'll hit you with a stick.
Shit, log!
Some homes have "Christmas logs" which are essentially chocolate Swiss rolls decorated with icing sugar to resemble snow frosting. I'll bet you all regret having eaten yours, now.
And that is the last of it now, until next year. :)