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Caganer – A Shitty Christmas Decoration

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A Caganer is a figurine depicted in the act of defecation appearing in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas with Catalan culture such as Andorra, Valencia, and Northern Catalonia (in southern France). It is most popular and widespread in these areas, but can also be found in other areas of Spain (Murcia), Portugal, and southern Italy (Naples).

Caganer Donald Trump
Donald Trump as a Caganer

The name “El Caganer” literally means “the crapper” or “the shitter”. Traditionally, the figurine is depicted as a peasant, wearing the traditional Catalan red cap (the barretina) and with his trousers down, showing a bare backside, and defecating.

The name “El Caganer” literally means “the crapper” or “the shitter”. Traditionally, the figurine is depicted as a peasant, wearing the traditional Catalan red cap (the barretina) and with his trousers down, showing a bare backside, and defecating.

The caganer is a particular and highly popular feature of modern Catalan nativity scenes. It is believed to have entered the nativity scene by the late 17th or early 18th century, during the Baroque period. Eminent folklorist Joan Amades called it an essential piece and the most popular figure of the nativity scene.

Many modern caganers represent celebrities and authority figures. By representing them with their pants down, the caganer serves as a leveling device to bring the mighty down.

Some of the Caganers available to purchase from Caganer.com include Fidel Castro, Hilary Clinton, Donald Trump, Che Guevera, Prince William, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Vladimir Putin, George Bush and Barack Obama.

9 more weird Christmas Traditions that may go down a treat depending on where you are:

  1. Ukraine: Ukranians decorate their Christmas trees with spiders and webs – this is supposed to bring good luck
  2. Guatemala: Guatemalans burn an effigy of the devil
  3. Japan: Kentucky Fried Christmas – Since a massive marketing campaign four decades ago, KFC has been associated with Christmas in the minds of the Japanese for generations, a tradition passed on from parent to child in spite of its commercialized beginnings. More than 240,000 barrels of chicken will be sold during Christmas, five to ten times its normal monthly sales.
  4. Greenland: Eat a mouldy bird – In Greenland it is tradition to eat fermented birds or Kiviak over the winter season for celebrations. The bird is kept in the carcass of a seal for seven months so it is ready just in time for winter.
  5. South Africa: Deep Fried Caterpillars – certain cultures tuck into a Christmas Treat of deep fried caterpillars of the Emperor Moth.
  6. Catalonia: The pooping log – continuing the Catalonian fascination for doing the Number Two is the pooping log which is decorated with a face and blanket and placed halfway into a fire and beaten with sticks.
  7. Germany: Hide the Pickle – the first child to find the pickle in the Christmas tree on Christmas morning gets a small gift.
  8. Estonia: The family that saunas together stsyas together – Estonian families traditionally sauna together on Christmas Eve.
  9. USA: Running of the Santas – Hundreds of people run from pub to pub drinking at each whilst dressed as Santa. 
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.