This holiday season we are much more aware of the Christmas traditions here, and we're integrating them into our own traditions. It's worth noting at least two very famous Catalunyan traditions: El Caganer and Caga Tió.
El Caganer is the figure most characteristic of Catalan nativity scenes. It is said that its origins began in the 17th or 18th century. The Caganer is considered to be a symbol of good luck. It is available in many guises, such as policemen, politicians (even American ones such as George Bush), soccer players, peasants. Mauricio picked up an irreverent bishop for his nativity scene (pictured here, front and back of course). An exposition in Napa Valley in 2002 caused a protest by Catholics as being irreverent.
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Caga Tió means "pooping log." It's a very old tradition linked to winter solstice. Where once it was just a plain old log, over the years it has taken on a painted face and some Catalan characteristics such as the pastorets' red hat. The modern function of the Tió is to poop presents on or about Christmas Eve. Days before, the log is "fed" fruit peels and dried breads so that it will have something to poop. A blanket is put over it to keep it warm (and hide the presents!). On Christmas Eve, children warm up their sticks (where it used to be in the fire, now it's just by rubbing them all together) and then singing a song while hitting the log with the sticks. Then the blanket is lifted and candy and presents have been pooped out. Isabel partook in one at school, and took home some clay. Our landlord kindly invited us to her family's Caga Tió party on Christmas Eve (pictured) and Isabel took home lots of little gifts and candy (at this party, everyone contributed gifts for every child, and we repeated the Caga Tió 8 times to distribute all the gifts). How do we know the Caga Tió doesn't have any left? When the blanket is lifted and there are no presents, or when a piece of garlic or herring is left.
This holiday season we are much more aware of the Christmas traditions here, and we're integrating them into our own traditions. It's worth noting at least two very famous Catalunyan traditions: El Caganer and Caga Tió.
El Caganer is the figure most characteristic of Catalan nativity scenes. It is said that its origins began in the 17th or 18th century. The Caganer is considered to be a symbol of good luck. It is available in many guises, such as policemen, politicians (even American ones such as George Bush), soccer players, peasants. Mauricio picked up an irreverent bishop for his nativity scene (pictured here, front and back of course). An exposition in Napa Valley in 2002 caused a protest by Catholics as being irreverent.
The Caga Tió means "pooping log." It's a very old tradition linked to winter solstice. Where once it was just a plain old log, over the years it has taken on a painted face and some Catalan characteristics such as the pastorets' red hat. The modern function of the Tió is to poop presents on or about Christmas Eve. Days before, the log is "fed" fruit peels and dried breads so that it will have something to poop. A blanket is put over it to keep it warm (and hide the presents!). On Christmas Eve, children warm up their sticks (where it used to be in the fire, now it's just by rubbing them all together) and then singing a song while hitting the log with the sticks. Then the blanket is lifted and candy and presents have been pooped out. Isabel partook in one at school, and took home some clay. Our landlord kindly invited us to her family's Caga Tió party on Christmas Eve (pictured) and Isabel took home lots of little gifts and candy (at this party, everyone contributed gifts for every child, and we repeated the Caga Tió 8 times to distribute all the gifts). How do we know the Caga Tió doesn't have any left? When the blanket is lifted and there are no presents, or when a piece of garlic or herring is left.
