Unsatisfied with just one risqué, excrement-themed, Caganer Christmas tradition, the Catalans took it a step further and came up with a second one.
The Caganer is a mischievous character, as he audaciously lowers his peasant trousers and relieves himself right in the midst of the sacred nativity scene, with the newborn Jesus and the Virgin Mother present.
Surprisingly, this act is not seen as profane in Catalonia; rather, it harkens back to ancient pagan rituals of fertilizing the soil and is considered to bring good luck! The Caganet has gained such a cult status in Catalonia that you can find small figurines of this peasant, usually squatting over his “steaming” artistic creation, being sold at all the Christmas markets. Interestingly, there are also celebrity versions of the Caganer Barcelona available for purchase, resembling famous personalities like Messi, Barack Obama, Bart Simpson, Donald Trump… you name it!
The Caganer tradicional together with Tió de Nadal are two typical Catalan traditions that you will find at Christmas in Barcelona.
