It is humbling that even at my age, I learn about “new” things that astound me, but which are in fact traditional and not new. Earlier it made me feel like an ignoramus to learn about a Catalan religious tradition going back to the 18th century which would seem downright disrespectful to Christianity, but which apparently is not.
A Caganer (Catalan pronunciation: [k????ne], Western Catalan: [ka?a?ne]) 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, Northern Catalonia (in southern France) and the Balearic Islands. 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).
Origins
The exact origin of the Caganer is lost, but the tradition has existed since at least the 18th century.[1] According to the Friends of Caganer group (Amics del Caganer), it is believed to have entered the nativity scene by the late 17th- or early 18th-century, during the Baroque period.[2][3] An Iberian votive deposit was found near Tornabous in the Urgell depicting a holy Iberian warrior defecating on his falcata. This began a short-lived series of polemics between the Institut d’Estudis Catalans and the Departament d’Arqueologia in the Conselleria de Cultura of the Generalitat de Catalunya as to whether the find can be regarded as a proto-caganer (which would place the origin of this tradition far earlier than previously thought) or just a pre-combat ritual.
You would think I’d have known about that, but it was news to me to hear about it earlier today.
They’ve even included an image of Barack Obama getting into the act:
The Catalans have modified this tradition a good deal since the 1940s. In addition to the traditional caganer design, you can easily find other characters assuming the Caganer position, such as nuns, devils, Santa Claus, celebrities, athletes, historical figures, politicians, Spanish royalty, British royalty,[1] and other famous people past and present. Just days after his election as US president in 2008, a “pooper” of Barack Obama was made available.[12]
Well! That last link didn’t go anywhere (surprise), but it didn’t take long to find another one:
I’m tempted to say “Holy Shit” but presidential droppings are anything but that.
Comments
7 responses to “The latest poop scoop”
They need to put the Constitution on that pedestal.
Hey, how’s that wise man who said this would be the funniest end of civilization ever?
Yanno, there’s a point at which comment/ recognition becomes…well, trash.
Interesting cultural weirdness, I suppose. But on the merchandising side. No. Comment.
Eric, I was burned out hard for a year or more, I was down to reading maybe 3 or 4 blogs.
Now? I’ve given up. I’ve actually embraced that we’re done and I’m just curious to see how it’s playing out.
I didn’t vote for Romney. Not for some “point” or gesture (I live in AZ now and my vote either way wouldn’t have mattered), but because I refuse to participate in the dissolution of our republic.
Not sure how, or even if, I’m voting in the future, but it’ll probably be straight Libertarian.
At this point I’m actually watching Bob Owens to see when the feds arrest him for fomenting revolution.
Veeshir,
I hate to sound AOL, but me too on the burn out – this was-and is one of the 3 or 4 blogs.
I did vote Romney (but reluctantly) – FL is not AZ. But only because I thought he might slow the dissolution a bit. Probably should have gone Libertarian – my vote obviously made no difference. Sigh.
Thanks! (*blush*) I appreciate it and I’m more burned out than I let on.
I think we all are. Sigh.