Bon Nadal i Feliç any Nou
(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Catalan)
Some Catalan Christmas traditions
El Pessebre
El Pessebre is a representation of the Nativity Story. As in several countries, the Catalans have a Christmas tradition of creating a Crib Scene with the Shepherds, Wise Men, Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus, a tableau that they will often set up in home or gardens.
Look out for the caganer, (the pooper!!), a small statue of a Catalonian
peasant, wearing traditional red stocking hat (a barretina,)
and, sitting, with trousers half down, in a "toilet" position, making
his small contribution to the land, often smoking a pipe or reading a newspaper!
The exact origin of the Caganer
has been lost over the years but the tradition is
known to have existed since the 17th century.
Some say that he is "fertilizing" the land to
ensure a bumper crop the following year, others
that he represents equality of all people (we all do it!) !! He will usually be found crouching in the Pessebre, the representation of the Nativity Story, adding a rather comical aspect to this traditional scene
There was actually a well supported Salvem el caganer (Save the caganer) campaign in Barcelona when the council did not include a Caganer in the public nativity scene, stating that it does not set a good example (no pooing in public was the message) but the little chap was quickly reinstated with media support!
The Caganer is one of a type of small figures called ‘santons’ (coming from the
Provençal santoun or "little saint") which became popular
after the French Revolution of 1789 when churches were closed
and Nativity scenes were banned. They gave a chance to ordinary
people to "bring religion home" by setting up crèches in their
own homes, a tradition previously reserved for the rich. The most
famous santons portray common Provençal folk in 18th and 19th
century clothes who visit the Holy Family and bring presents.
La caga tió
Still hovering around the subject of poo, (apologies to the sensitive souls amongst you!) another Catalan Christmas tradition is the Le caga tió (literally ‘poop log’!!), a hollow log standing up on four little stick legs with a smiley face painted on one end and red barretina hat.From December 8th, (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – bank holiday in Spain so shops closed) he is given something to "eat" every night and covered with a blanket so that the poor little chap will not be cold at night. On Christmas Day, he is beaten with sticks to make him drop the sweets, gifts and torrons (turrón in Spanish and torró in Catalan) placed inside him.
The turrón is a type of nougat of Moorish origins, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, with many variations. It is eaten particularly at Christmas in Catalonia but of course there is nothing to stop you nibbling it at any time of the year if you have a sweet tooth – yummy yummy!
The pooey traditions above may shed some light on the popular Catalan
saying "menja bé, caga fort i no tinguis por a la mort!" (Eat well, poo
strong and don’t be afraid of death!).
Sants Innocents (Day of the Innocents) - 28th December
Of pagan origin, this was the beginning of many days of festivity, culminating in a Carnival. "Por San Antón Carnestolendas son" and also known as the ‘Festival of the Crazy’ Today, the festival is more for young children - practical jokes and silly stories, much like April Fool’s Day in Britain. These pranks are usually innocent and funny, like sticking stickers on people’s clothes without them knowing, and the newspapers sometimes take advantage of this day to invent news, so watch out for what you read!
31st December - The ’Home dels Nassos’
The ’home dels nassos’ (man of noses) is a curious character in Catalan tradition, who appears on the 31st December, day of Saint Sylvester, and has as many noses on his face as days remaining in the year! One of his relatives is the home de les orelles, the man of ears, who appears on the 30th.
5th January - The Day of the Three Kings
This is a big celebration for children telling of the arrival of the kings who lavish children with toys and sweets. The children go to bed and leave shoes and a snack near the window or on the balcony. On the morning of the 6th, the children find the gifts, which the kings have left for them, sometimes accompanied by a piece of coal, if they have not been well behaved!
