Imagine a pessebre (a Catalan nativity scene), containing all of the usual characters. There’s Mary and Joseph, lovingly gazing at baby Jesus. There are some animals and shepherds Looking closer you see a little figurine within the traditional scene.

The caganer (literally meaning “defecator”) is one of the staples of Christmas in Catalonia, Spain. This figurine is typically dressed in black trousers, white shirt, and the classic red Catalan cap. He may also be found smoking a pipe or holding a newspaper. The traditional caganer is made from clay, filed in a kiln of more than a 1,000 of them, then hand painted. As the industry grew, so did the diversity of these figurines. The roots of the caganer are quite vague. The roots are generally agreed to date around the late 17th century and early 18th century. Around this time is when the Baroque tradition took place. This tradition consisted of the focus on realism, sculpture and literature. The reasoning for it being passed down from generation to generation is due to the good luck to prosperity and good health linked to it.

Another (quite) odd tradition is the Caga Tio (Christmas Log). On December 8, the feast of Immaculate Conception, families start “feeding” Caga Tio scraps of food. He is covered with a blanket to keep him warm until he has had enough to eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. When he has had enough to eat, the children hit him with a stick while singing a song that encourages him to defecate. Before hitting it, the children are to go to another part of the house and pray for this log to bring them gifts, while the parents store candy under the blanket.

This is the day that the Catalonia’s Romane Catholic population use to celebrate the miraculous conception of Virgin Mary. On this day, the families spend time together, gather in restaurants and homes, and just really enjoy their day off from working. It is also common for families to decorate their homes for future festivities on this day.

Christmas Eve is a vitally important day for the whole family. Christmas Eve is when the main Christmas meal is eaten. The traditional Catalan starter is escudella de galets. This soup contains large snail- shaped pasta shells, made from broth that is produced when boiling the main meat course. The carn d’olla (meat of the pot) is removed from the broth and served separately. This typically contains a mixture of several meats, a large meatball for the entire family to share and a mixture of typical winter vegetables. During this meal the family will take the opportunity to present one another with token gifts.

Boxing Day (December 26th) is another day to eat a hearty meal and spend time with family. Traditionally, the people of Catalonia use leftovers from Christmas Eve and Christmas to prepare this meal. For dessert they will serve nougat mixed with honey and almonds while some of the children recite a poem for the Feast of San Esteban.

On December 28, they celebrate Holy Innocents Day which is the equivalent to April Fool’s Day. Television shows and newspapers create odd stories to trick their viewers and readers. When someone is fooled they are mocked by the joker exclaiming “Inocente”. It is a tradition that stems from the biblical story of King Herod ordering the death of all boys under the age of 2, in response to the news of Jesus having been born there. As a tribute to all of the children slaughtered that night, everyone acts as a child that day.

Christmas Around The World: An Odd Christmas in Spain

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