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A Caganer (Catalan pronunciation: [kəɣəˈne]) is a figurine depicted in the act of defecation appearing in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas such as Andorra, Valencia, Balearic Islands, 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).

The name "El Caganer" literally means "the pooper". 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.

Origins

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The exact origin of the Caganer is unknown, but the tradition has existed since at least the 18th century.[1] According to the society Amics del Caganer (Friends of the Caganer), it is believed to have entered the nativity scene by the late 17th or early 18th century, during the Baroque period.[2][3]

Tradition

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In Catalan Countries, as well as in the rest of Spain and in most of Italy and Southern France, traditional Christmas decorations often consist of a large model of the city of Bethlehem, similar to the Nativity scenes of the English-speaking world but encompassing the entire city rather than just the typical manger scene. This pessebre is often a reproduction of a pastoral scene—a traditional Catalan masia (farmhouse) as the central setting with the child in a manger, and outlying scenes including a washerwoman by a river, a woman spinning, shepherds herding their sheep or walking towards the manger with gifts, the Three Wise Men approaching on camel back, a scene with the angel and shepherds, the star pointing the way, etc. Commonly materials such as moss will be used to represent grass, with cork used to represent mountains or cliffs.

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.[4] Eminent folklorist Joan Amades called it an essential piece and the most popular figure of the nativity scene. It can also be found in other parts of southwestern Europe, including Murcia, the region just south of Valencia in Spain (where they are called cagones), Naples (cacone or pastore che caca) and Portugal (cagões).[5] There is a sculpture of a person defecating hidden inside the cathedral of Ciudad Rodrigo, Province of Salamanca, though this is not part of a nativity scene.[6] Accompanying Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the shepherds and company, the caganer is often tucked away in a corner of the model, typically nowhere near the manger scene. A tradition in Catalonia is to have children find the hidden figure.

Explanations

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Possible reasons for placing a figure representing a person in the act of emptying his bowels in a scene which is widely considered holy include:

  • The Caganer, by creating faeces, is fertilizing the Earth. According to the ethnographer Joan Amades, it was a "customary figure in nativity scenes [pessebres] in the 19th century, because people believed that this deposit [symbolically] fertilized the ground of the nativity scenes, which became fertile and ensured the nativity scene for the following year, and with it, the health of body and peace of mind required to make the nativity scene, with the joy and happiness brought by Christmas near the hearth. Placing this figurine in the nativity scene brought good luck and joy and not doing so brought adversity."[4]
  • Many modern caganers represent celebrities and authority figures. By representing them with their pants down, the caganer serves as a levelling device to bring the mighty down.[7]
  • As to the charge of blasphemy, as Catalan anthropologist Miguel Delgado has pointed out, the grotesque, rather than a negation of the divine may actually signify an intensification of the sacred, for what could be more grotesque than the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a bloody public torture and execution as the defining moment in the story of Christianity?[8]
  • In his essay Les virtuts cìviques del caganer ("The Civic Virtues of the Defecator"), American anthropologist Brad Erickson argues that Catalans use the caganer to process and respond to contemporary social issues such as immigration and the imposition of public civility regulations.[9]

Further opinions:[10]

  • "The caganer was the most mischievous and out-of-place character of the pessebre's [otherwise] idyllic landscape; he was the "Other", with everything that entails, and as the "Other", was accepted, in a liberal vein, as long as he did not aim to occupy the foreground. The caganer represented the spoilsport that we all have inside of us, and that's why it is not surprising that it was the most beloved figure among the children and, above all, the adolescents, who were already beginning to feel rather like outsiders at the family celebration." Agustí Pons [ca]
  • "The caganer is a hidden figure and yet is always sought out like the lost link between transcendence and contingency. Without the caganer, there would be no nativity scene but rather a liturgy, and there would be no real country but just the false landscape of a model." Joan Barril
  • "The caganer seems to provide a counterpoint to so much ornamental hullabaloo, so much emotive treacle, so much contrived beauty." Josep Murgades [ca]
  • "The caganer is, like so many other things that have undergone the filtering of a great many generations, a cult object; with the playful, aesthetic and superficial devotion that we feel towards all the silly things that fascinate us deep down." Jordi Soler [es]

Similar traditions

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The Caganer is not the only defecating character in the Catalan Christmas tradition—another is the Tió de Nadal, which also makes extensive use of the image of faecal matter (it is a log, i.e. tió which, having been "fed" for several weeks, is told to defecate on Christmas Eve and "magically" produces candy for children, a candy that has supposedly come from its bowels). Other mentions of faeces and defecation are common in Catalan folklore: indeed, a popular Catalan saying for use before a meal is menja bé, caga fort i no tinguis por a la mort! ("Eat well, shit heartily, and don't be afraid of death!"). In his book Barcelona, architecture critic and locale historian Robert Hughes gives a good introduction to this earthy tradition.[11]

The Caganer can also be found in other European cultures, either as an import or a minor local tradition:

  • In France: Père la Colique ("Father Colic").[12] In France this figure seems to date from the 1930s or 1940s.[13]
  • In Murcia, the region just south of the Valencian Community in Spain (where they are called cagones)[14]
  • The Naples area, where it is known as cacone or pastore che caca[14]
  • Portugal, where they are known as cagões[3][14][15]

Traditional vs. modern portrayals

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Modern caricature caganers for sale

The traditional caganer is portrayed as a Catalan peasant man (i.e. a farmer or shepherd) wearing a typical hat called a Barretina—a red stocking hat with a black band. At least since the late 1970s, the figure of a traditional Catalan peasant woman was also added, wearing traditional garb including the long black hairnet.

The Catalans have modified this tradition a good deal since the 1940s. In addition to the traditional caganer design, one 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.[16]

A pixelated image of a caganer produced using the christmas package in R
A caganer produced using the christmas package in R, which was developed by Jose Barrera-Gomez

A digital greeting card depicting a caganer can be produced using the christmas package in R, a free software environment for statistical computing.[17] The following code produces the image:

install.packages("christmas")
library(christmas)
xmascaganer(year = 2025)

At markets and exhibits

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Caganers are easiest to find before Christmas in holiday markets, like the one in front of the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, which has many tables of Caganers. Every year new figures are created, and some people collect them. Caganers are the focal point of at least one association (Els Amics del Caganer, i.e. Friends of the Caganer), which puts out a regular bulletin ("El Caganòfil"), and have even been featured in art exhibits.

In recent years a urinating statue, or Pixaner, has also appeared, but it has not taken root or gained any serious popularity.

Controversy surrounding Barcelona's civility ordinance

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The caganer in the 2011 official nativity scene in Barcelona's Plaça de Sant Jaume

In 2005, the Barcelona city council provoked a public outcry by commissioning a nativity scene which did not include a caganer. The local government was reported to have countered these criticisms by claiming that the Caganer was not included because a civility ordinance[18] had made public defecation and public urination illegal, meaning that the caganer was now setting a bad example.[19][20] Many saw this as an attack on Catalan traditions. One writer of a letter to the editor asserted, "A nativity scene without a caganer is not a nativity scene."[21] A second writer offered a win-win solution. He suggested including the caganer but also placing a figure of a police officer with a pen and clipboard next to him, writing a ticket for the infraction. The writer said this would achieve three objectives: respect tradition, comply with the ordinance and educate the public about how it is being reinforced, and finally, demonstrate how important it is to respect the law.[22] Finally, the head of Parks and Gardens publicly denied prohibiting the caganer in the first place, saying that it was the artistic decision of the artist commissioned by the city to design and install the pessebre.[23] Following a campaign against the caganer's absence called Salvem el caganer (Save the caganer), and widespread media criticism, the 2006 nativity restored the caganer, who appeared on the northern side of the nativity near a dry riverbed.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Caganer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The caganer is a representing a defecating that forms part of the traditional Catalan , known as the pessebre, during the season. Typically depicted as a man wearing the distinctive red cap and traditional attire with trousers lowered, the figure is placed discreetly in a corner of the scene, away from the central . Its inclusion dates back at least to the in , though exact origins remain uncertain and may trace to pre-Christian . The symbolizes fertilization of the , invoking wishes for , good , and abundant harvests in the coming year. Some interpretations emphasize equality, as the act of is a universal bodily function regardless of . Similar figures appear in nativity customs elsewhere, such as the cagón in or caganassi in parts of , suggesting broader regional roots in southern . In contemporary practice, caganer production has expanded to include satirical versions portraying public figures, athletes, and celebrities, reflecting cultural commentary while maintaining the core of humor and symbolism. The figurine remains a staple of Catalan Christmas markets, particularly in , where elaborate pessebres are displayed publicly.

Definition and Core Elements

Physical Description and Traditional Form

The traditional caganer is a small figurine depicting a male Catalan peasant engaged in defecation, typically crafted from terracotta or porcelain. It portrays the figure in a squatting pose with trousers pulled down to the knees, exposing the bare buttocks, and a modest extrusion of feces positioned below. This scatological representation forms a distinctive element of Catalan nativity scenes known as pessebres. In its canonical form, the caganer wears period-appropriate rural attire reflective of 18th- or 19th-century Catalan peasantry, including a white collared shirt, dark or , and simple shoes or bare feet. A hallmark feature is the , a traditional woolen cap with a black band and elongated tail, symbolizing regional folk dress. The is often one of mild concentration or relief, rendered in unglazed clay for the body to evoke earthiness, while the cap and clothing may receive colorful glazes. Figurines typically measure 10 to 15 centimeters in height, allowing discreet placement amid larger nativity elements. Materials emphasize durability and artisanal ; terracotta provides a matte, rustic finish suited to the figure's agrarian motif, while variants offer smoother, more refined details for commercial production. Hand-painting ensures individuality, though mass-produced versions maintain standardized proportions to preserve the . This form has persisted since at least the mid-19th century, predating modern satirical adaptations.

Role in Pessebre Nativity Scenes

The caganer occupies a distinctive, albeit discreet, position within the pessebre, the traditional Catalan nativity scene that recreates the birth of Jesus amid a detailed landscape of rural Catalonia. This figurine, portraying a male peasant—typically clad in a barretina (red stocking cap) and trousers lowered—squats in the act of defecation, hidden in a corner, behind a bush, or under a bridge to avoid overshadowing the central religious figures like the Holy Family. Such placement underscores a balance between irreverence and reverence, ensuring the caganer does not dominate the sacred tableau while contributing to its earthy realism. Its role introduces a pragmatic, element to narrative, symbolizing the everyday bodily functions absent from idealized depictions and thereby grounding the scene in the mundane realities of life. Proponents of the tradition attribute this inclusion to enhancing the pessebre's authenticity, reflecting Catalonia's agrarian heritage where such figures represent the common folk coexisting with the divine event. Furthermore, the caganer's is interpreted as an act of fertilizing the , intended to invoke and a fruitful harvest for the ensuing year, particularly vital for farming communities. suggests omitting the figure from a pessebre invites agricultural misfortune, reinforcing its ritualistic function in displays erected from late November through early January. While modern variants may feature celebrities or politicians, the core traditional caganer persists as a male form, with female counterparts (cagadora) emerging later but less commonly integrated into classic pessebres.

Historical Development

Earliest Documented Appearances

The earliest documented appearances of the caganer figurine in Catalan nativity scenes (pessebres) date to the late 17th or early 18th century, coinciding with the Baroque period's emphasis on naturalistic detail and the integration of mundane human activities into religious art. This era prioritized realism in sculpture and literature, allowing for the inclusion of a defecating peasant as a symbol of fertility and earthly vitality amid the sacred narrative of Christ's birth. Folklorist Joan Amades identified the caganer's introduction into pessebres specifically at the end of the 17th century, marking its shift from potential earlier folk depictions—such as in craftsmen’s guild tiles portraying trades from the 16th to 18th centuries—to a standardized element in Christmas displays. Prior to its nativity integration, scatological motifs appeared in Iberian votive artifacts and medieval ballads, but verifiable evidence ties the caganer proper to 18th-century Catalan records, with no surviving pre-1700 figurines confirmed as nativity-specific. The tradition's obscurity stems from its folk origins, undocumented in ecclesiastical or official annals, yet its persistence is evidenced by 19th-century references in Catalan and Spanish folklore collections, affirming continuity from the Baroque inception. Scholars note the lack of precise archival proof, attributing this to the figure's subversive, popular character rather than elite patronage, though guild records and ballad allusions provide indirect corroboration of its pre-19th-century presence.

Spread and Institutionalization in Catalan Culture

The caganer tradition emerged in Catalan nativity scenes (pessebres) during the late 17th or early 18th century, coinciding with Baroque art's focus on everyday realism and local peasant life. Initially depicted as a squatting farmer in traditional attire, including the barretina cap, the figure symbolized fertilization of the earth for agricultural prosperity, becoming an essential hidden element in private home displays across rural Catalonia. By the 19th century, its inclusion had spread widely, with families believing its absence invited misfortune, embedding it deeply in Christmas rituals throughout the region. In the , the caganer transitioned from artisanal clay figures to mass-produced items sold at markets, facilitating broader urban adoption and commercialization, with tens of thousands of units produced annually by the early . Public nativity installations in city squares, such as Barcelona's Plaça de Sant Jaume, began incorporating the figure, extending the tradition from domestic to communal settings and reinforcing its cultural ubiquity. Institutionalization advanced with the 1990 founding of Amics del Caganer, an association of collectors that organizes seasonal exhibitions across , publishes the bimonthly newsletter Caganòfil since 1992, and awards an annual "Caganer of the Year" to highlight contemporary designs. These efforts, drawing large crowds to fairs and supporting local potters, have preserved the tradition amid modernization, evolving figures to include political and celebrity likenesses while maintaining its core role in Catalan heritage.

Symbolic Interpretations

Fertility and Agricultural Symbolism

The caganer's act of symbolizes the fertilization of the earth through , a practice central to traditional where fecal matter enriches nutrients to promote growth. This interpretation positions the as a emblem, invoking prosperity and abundant harvests for the ensuing year by mimicking the natural cycle of waste transforming into productive soil amendment. In Catalan agrarian culture, the caganer's placement within the pessebre —often hidden among the landscape elements—represents the peasant farmer's contribution to land fertility, ensuring the " gives fruits and " through implied scatological . The term "caganer," derived from the Catalan verb cagar meaning "to defecate," underscores this linkage, with some folk etymologies equating the figure directly to a "" in rural contexts. By dispersing excrement across varied spots in the scene, the tradition metaphorically fertilizes the entire territory rather than isolated patches, reflecting pre-modern farming reliance on distributed organic inputs for holistic . This agricultural symbolism persists as a cultural holdover from Catalonia's rural heritage, where human and animal waste served as essential, readily available in eras before synthetic fertilizers, thereby embedding hopes for economic sustenance tied to bountiful yields. While modern interpretations may view it through a humorous lens, the core motif aligns with historical peasant superstitions prioritizing soil enrichment for survival, independent of religious nativity elements.

Humorous and Humanizing Aspects

The caganer introduces scatological humor into the otherwise solemn nativity scene, embodying Catalonia's tradition of playful irreverence toward sacred depictions. By depicting a peasant in the act of defecation, often hidden among the figures for children to discover, it serves as a whimsical "Easter egg" that elicits amusement through its absurdity and contrast with the holy narrative. This element reflects broader Catalan cultural affinity for bathroom humor, evident in idioms like "cul i merda" (bum and shit) and artistic expressions by figures such as Joan Miró. Humanizing the nativity, the caganer underscores universal and equality by portraying a basic bodily function shared by all, regardless of , thus grounding the idealized religious tableau in everyday realism. Ethnographer Joan Amades interpreted this act as symbolizing and the fertilization of the , blending earthy naturalism with spiritual themes to make the scene more relatable. Scholars note that it promotes , reminding participants that "everybody poos, however important," which fosters a lighthearted acknowledgment of imperfection amid divine celebration. This duality of humor and has sustained the figure's popularity, transforming potential grotesquerie into a cherished of cultural authenticity.

Satirical Critique of Authority

The inclusion of authority figures in caganer figurines constitutes a pointed satirical device, portraying leaders and elites—such as politicians and celebrities—in a state of undignified to subvert their elevated status. This practice highlights the egalitarian reality of human physiology, where remains a humbling equalizer irrespective of social rank or power, thereby critiquing the pretensions of through scatological irreverence. Producers have crafted caganers depicting specific figures to lampoon contemporary events and personalities; for example, in , artisans released 46 new models tied to Catalonia's independence push, including representations of key public officials involved in the process, blending political commentary with traditional form. Similarly, recent iterations have featured international leaders like and activists such as , using the figurine's posture to mock their public personas amid ongoing debates. This satirical extension of the caganer reflects Catalonia's cultural affinity for subversive humor against institutional power, as evidenced by commercial lines dedicated to "international politicians" and "Spanish politicians," which capture transient political controversies through ephemeral, collectible mockery. While primarily commercial, these depictions reinforce a folk critique that derives no exemption from bodily , fostering a democratic leveling in nativity scenes otherwise reverent toward the sacred.

Practices and Traditions

Integration into Christmas Celebrations

In Catalan Christmas celebrations, the caganer figurine is traditionally incorporated into the pessebre, the nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus, which families and communities assemble starting in early December and maintain through the holiday season until Epiphany on January 6. The figure, depicting a person in the act of defecation, is deliberately placed in a hidden or inconspicuous location within the scene, often at the rear or in a corner amid the landscape elements like hills or stables, to symbolize the fertilization of the soil and ensure a prosperous harvest. This placement transforms the pessebre into an interactive element of the festivities, where participants, particularly children, engage in a playful search to locate the caganer, fostering humor and family bonding during the period. Folklore holds that including the caganer brings good luck and averts misfortune for the coming year, while its absence invites adversity, reinforcing its ritualistic role in the celebrations. Public pessebres in Catalan cities, such as those in Barcelona's Plaça de Sant Jaume, prominently feature oversized caganer figures integrated into large-scale displays, drawing visitors to experience this distinctive aspect of regional and highlighting its cultural significance beyond private homes. The tradition underscores the earthy, irreverent humor embedded in Catalan observances, contrasting with more solemn nativity representations elsewhere. A parallel custom in Catalan Christmas traditions is the Tió de Nadal, or "Christmas log," a wooden log placed in homes from early December and "fed" with treats by children, who then ritually beat it with sticks on or Epiphany to coax out small gifts, candies, and symbolic "waste" made of or dried figs. This practice, documented in Catalan folklore since at least the , shares the Caganer's scatological humor and themes of and abundance, originating from pre-Christian solstice rituals aimed at ensuring through mimetic acts of and renewal. The Caganer appears in regional variations across areas of Catalan cultural influence, including , , the , and in , where it is integrated into pesebres (nativity scenes) with minor adaptations in local dress or materials but retaining the defecating pose as a luck-bringing element. In , for instance, the figurine—sometimes termed cagó—is placed similarly to fertilize the scene symbolically, reflecting shared agrarian roots in the former territories. A common participatory custom involves concealing the Caganer amid the nativity figures, encouraging children to hunt for it as part of scene assembly, which fosters family interaction and emphasizes its hidden, irreverent role.

Modern Evolutions

Contemporary Designs and Productions

Modern caganer designs frequently incorporate satirical depictions of contemporary celebrities, athletes, politicians, and cultural icons, diverging from the original rural peasant archetype to comment on current events and authority figures. Producers annually release new variants reflecting pop culture and politics, such as 2024 figures of footballer , Vinicius Junior, and , alongside earlier examples like and . These designs maintain the core posture of defecation but adapt attire, accessories, and features to mimic the subject's likeness, often in themed sets like duos (e.g., and ) or professional groups. Specialized manufacturers, such as the Barcelona-based brand founded in , create original, handcrafted pieces emphasizing artistic detail and thematic relevance, with collections spanning music stars, film characters, and sports figures. Production techniques blend tradition with innovation; while early figures used terracotta clay, contemporary versions increasingly employ polyresin molding for enhanced durability, finer facial details, and weather resistance, enabling outdoor displays and export viability. Glazing processes, applied post-molding and fired to form a protective vitreous layer, further improve longevity without altering the humorous essence. Custom and limited-edition runs cater to collectors, incorporating elements like symbols or ancient trades reimagined in modern contexts, produced in scales from 9 cm stylized miniatures to larger models. This evolution sustains demand at markets, where producers unveil seasonal prototypes, ensuring the figurine's adaptability to evolving societal .

Commercialization and Market Presence

The commercialization of caganer figurines centers on artisanal workshops in , where production involves handcrafting from local clay, individual painting, and certification as official artisan products by the . Leading producer Caganer.com, a family-run founded in in 1992 and operated by the Alós Pla brothers, specializes exclusively in these items, transitioning from seasonal stalls to year-round manufacturing and sales. Other production includes initiatives like those in Spanish prisons north of , where inmates crafted thousands of celebrity-themed caganers in 2022 for distribution. Market presence has expanded through physical retail, with Caganer.com operating nine stores across , , Torroella de Montgrí, and —including the first outlet outside opened in 2022. The company reports historical sales exceeding 1 million units, with over 100,000 figures sold in 2023 alone, supplemented by online , corporate gifting, and experiential workshops. Celebrity and satirical editions, such as those depicting politicians like (top seller in 2017) or global figures like (in massive demand in 2024), drive demand by blending tradition with contemporary appeal. Internationally, caganers reach markets via online exports, tourist purchases, and adaptations featuring universal icons like Star Wars characters or , fostering global collector interest despite the tradition's Catalan roots. This commercialization sustains a niche economy tied to holiday seasons, with ongoing store expansions signaling growth beyond regional boundaries.

Controversies and Debates

Barcelona's Civility Ordinance Conflict

In December 2005, Barcelona's city council, under Mayor Joan Clos, approved the Ordenanza de medidas para fomentar y garantizar la convivencia ciudadana en el espacio público, a ordinance that imposed fines up to €750 for public urination and , among other incivilities such as and aggressive begging. Concurrently, the official municipal (pesebre) in Plaça de Sant Jaume excluded the traditional caganer figurine for the first time, a decision tied directly to the ordinance's prohibitions on public . Municipal officials argued that including the caganer—depicting a figure mid-defecation—would undermine the ordinance's educational goals by normalizing prohibited behavior and setting a negative example in a . This rationale reflected broader efforts to modernize urban etiquette amid rising concerns over street cleanliness and social norms in the city, which had seen increased tourism and visible incivilities. The omission ignited immediate and intense public outrage, described in media reports as a "major uproar" (la que se lió fue de órdago), with viewing it as an assault on a longstanding folk symbolizing and . Petitions circulated demanding the caganer's reinstatement, and local press criticized the move as excessively puritanical or ideologically driven, prioritizing imported standards of decorum over indigenous customs. The controversy highlighted fault lines in Barcelona's governance between progressive regulatory impulses and cultural preservation, with some commentators attributing the decision to the Socialist-led administration's (PSC) emphasis on cosmopolitan reform. While the caganer was restored in subsequent years' displays, the 2005 episode remains a flashpoint in debates over the ordinance's application to symbolic expressions, influencing later discussions on balancing with heritage.

Broader Cultural and Religious Criticisms

The caganer tradition has faced religious objections primarily when extended to depictions of sacred figures, viewed as blasphemous or disrespectful to Christian iconography. In November 2013, a produced a caganer portraying La Moreneta, the revered of , prompting widespread condemnation from Catholic authorities. Catalan bishops described the item as "a lack of respect toward a religious symbol very dear to all Catholic faithful," emphasizing its offense to devotional sentiments. The similarly critiqued it as a "sign of little sensitivity and lack of respect" toward believers, highlighting the incongruity of associating a holy icon with scatological imagery. Catholic advocacy group e-Cristians announced plans to pursue legal action against the manufacturer, accusing it of "miserable profit-seeking" by exploiting religious reverence for commercial gain. Such incidents underscore broader concerns among conservative Catholics that the caganer's motif—juxtaposing defecation with the nativity—trivializes the by emphasizing human baseness over divine solemnity. Various Catholic commentators have labeled even traditional peasant caganers as bordering on , arguing they mock sacred scenes through vulgarity unfit for representation of Christ's birth. In an international example, the U.S.-based Catholic League in March 2019 protested a installation incorporating caganers into a nativity display, deeming it "sacrilegious" and demanding its removal for desecrating holy imagery. Culturally, critics outside have decried the tradition as promoting indecency and eroding the dignity of observances, with some arguing its earthy humor alienates those prioritizing liturgical gravity over folk satire. These views portray the caganer as a symptom of secular irreverence, potentially normalizing in religious contexts amid declining in . However, within —a historically Catholic region—the core tradition dating to the faces no systematic ecclesiastical ban, as local church authorities tolerate its hidden placement in nativity scenes to preserve cultural continuity without overt confrontation.

Cultural Impact and Comparisons

Global Awareness and Exports

The caganer figurine has gained recognition beyond primarily through tourism, international media coverage, and online commerce, though it remains a niche cultural rather than a widely adopted elsewhere. Visitors to Barcelona's Christmas markets, such as the de Santa Llúcia, often encounter caganers for the first time, leading to purchases as souvenirs that introduce the custom to foreign audiences. Media outlets like the have highlighted its scatological humor in global features, contributing to broader curiosity since at least the late . Commercial exports have expanded via platforms operated by Catalan producers, with caganer.com—established in in 1992—offering worldwide shipping and featuring satirical depictions of international figures to appeal to global buyers. Approximately 50% of the company's foreign sales in 2018 were directed to the , where celebrity-themed caganers, such as those of , have proven particularly popular among exporters' overseas customers. This online accessibility has facilitated small-scale imports to countries including the and , though quantitative data on total export volumes remains limited, with early figures from indicating 300 to 500 units annually for traditional models alone from one major vendor. Within , awareness has grown beyond Catalan regions, evidenced by the opening of caganer.com's first physical store outside in Madrid's city center on June 1, 2022, marking a step toward national commercialization. Despite this, the figurine's international footprint is constrained by its provocative nature, limiting mainstream adoption while sustaining interest among collectors and cultural enthusiasts via targeted online sales of universal and political variants.

Analogous Traditions in Other Cultures

In , particularly in the region, nativity scenes occasionally feature cacone or pastore che caga (pooping ) figurines, depicting a in the act of to invoke and , akin to the caganer's symbolic role in enriching the earth. These elements reflect a localized scatological humor integrated into the presepe (nativity) tradition, though less ubiquitous than in and often tied to artisanal or folk customs rather than widespread observance. In , a comparable figure known as Père la Colique (Father Colic)—a squatting, defecating character—has appeared in some nativity displays, emerging as a or decorative element around or , potentially as an adaptation of Iberian influences amid cross-cultural exchanges in Mediterranean . This remains marginal, confined to niche or humorous contexts without the ritual embedding seen in Catalan pessebres. German variants include Choleramännchen (Little Man) or Hinterlader (Breech-loader), small defecating figures historically linked to 19th-century cholera motifs but occasionally incorporated into scenes for satirical or luck-bringing purposes, evoking cycles of renewal through earthy realism. Such items, produced in regions like , prioritize artisanal whimsy over religious solemnity and lack the peasant-specific iconography of the caganer. Within Spain, the Murcia region employs cagones—defecating figurines in nativity setups—distinct from but resonant with Valencian caganers, serving to symbolize via manure's fertilizing effect, though documented primarily in local ethnographic records rather than as a dominant custom. Parallels extend to , where similar pooping shepherds appear sporadically in presépios, underscoring a broader Iberian undercurrent of irreverent amid Catholic . These analogs generally exhibit weaker institutional ties and greater variability, often viewed as folk curiosities imported or evolved independently from Catalan precedents.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20181216-spains-beloved-scatological-christmas-custom
  2. https://www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/festivals-and-traditions/festival-characters-and-elements/caganer
  3. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/tcaganer-christmas-tradition/
  4. https://www.theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-catalan-caganer
  5. https://www.exp1.com/blog/how-to-experience-the-caganer-catalan-tradition-in-barcelona/
  6. https://www.thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com/blog/caganer-a-crappy-spanish-christmas-tradition-explained
  7. https://spain.vivandalusia.com/spain-news/the-curious-tradition-of-el-caganer-in-catalan-nativity-scenes/
  8. https://sitgesluxuryrentals.com/the-caganer-barcelona/
  9. https://www.vox.com/2014/12/24/7417441/caganer-explained-nativity
  10. https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/pooping-man-catalan-nativity-scene.htm
  11. https://catavino.net/cagatio-and-caganer/
  12. https://www.shbarcelona.com/blog/en/caganer/
  13. https://www.timeout.cat/barcelona/things-to-do/11-quirky-catalan-traditions
  14. https://www.catalannews.com/culture/item/a-catalan-christmas-the-unique-traditions-of-the-tio-de-nadal-and-the-caganer
  15. https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/blog/catalonias-cheeky-christmas-caganer
  16. https://www.amicsdelcaganer.cat/angles/figura/figuracaganer.htm
  17. https://old.aerobusbarcelona.es/the-tradition-of-caganer-in-catalonia-2/?lang=en
  18. https://www.ancientpages.com/2024/12/18/caganer-pooping-man-part-catalonian-christmas-tradition-nativity-scene/
  19. https://www.amicsdelcaganer.cat/?page_id=1838
  20. https://fortune.com/2013/12/23/spains-christmas-tradition-defecating-celebrity-figurines/
  21. https://mythcrafts.com/2019/12/18/el-caganer-gifts-you-shouldnt-re-gift/
  22. https://www.catalannews.com/new-to-catalonia/item/why-do-catalan-christmas-traditions-involve-poo
  23. https://folklore.usc.edu/the-caganer-in-catalonian-nativity-scenes/
  24. https://www.clawsonbooks.com/the-hilariously-horrible-catalonian-christmas-tradition-of-the-caganer/
  25. https://www.catalannews.com/culture/item/christmas-caganer-figurines-depict-independence-process
  26. https://caganer.com/en/category/54-international-politicians
  27. https://caganer.com/en/category/53-spanish-politicians
  28. https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/events/christmas/christmas-nativity.html
  29. https://convospanish.com/el-tio-de-nadal/
  30. https://www.naturaki.com/en/tio-christmas-caganer/
  31. https://www.foreverbarcelona.com/meet-el-caganer-the-figurine-that-rocks-every-christmas-in-barcelona/
  32. https://barcelonaambassadors.com/christmas-in-barcelona/
  33. https://www.catalannews.com/life-style/item/caganer-the-peculiar-protagonist-at-catalan-christmas-markets
  34. https://www.catalannews.com/culture/item/dani-olmo-vinicius-and-the-beatles-among-new-pooping-caganers-this-christmas
  35. https://caganer.com/en/category/81-combos
  36. https://caganer.com/en/
  37. https://caganer.com/en/category/12-celebrities
  38. https://caganer.com/en/category/41-resin-caganers
  39. https://leaderindustry.en.made-in-china.com/product/CGIpRAbBOgVQ/China-BSCI-Factory-High-Quality-Polyresin-Tradition-Caganer-Figurine-Caganer-Statue.html
  40. https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/caganer.html
  41. https://caganer.com/en/category/11-collection
  42. https://caganer.com/en/1055-caganera-catalana-9-cm-new
  43. https://caganer.com/en/blog/the-origin-of-our-brand-caganer-b25.html
  44. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-prisoners-craft-christmas-pooper-figures-world-leaders-2022-12-15/
  45. https://www.catalannews.com/life-style/item/first-caganers-store-outside-catalonia-opens-in-madrid
  46. https://www.catalannews.com/culture/item/puigdemont-the-most-sold-caganer-figurine-this-year
  47. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-christmas-pooper-figurine-massive-demand-spain-2024-12-05/
  48. https://pnsd.sanidad.gob.es/pnsd/legislacion/pdfmunicipal/ORDEN05.pdf
  49. https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelona/20211204/7904586/cual-mejor-peor-pesebre-belen-barcelona-ultimos-20-anos.html
  50. https://metropoliabierta.elespanol.com/el-pulso-de-la-ciudad/20191210/el-belen-trastero-fue-una-decision-unilateral-de-colau/450955004_0.html
  51. https://thejohnfleming.wordpress.com/2023/12/26/the-surprising-fame-of-the-pooping-peasant-in-the-christian-nativity-scene/
  52. https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20131126/los-obispos-catalanes-critican-la-figura-de-la-moreneta-como-caganer-2872810
  53. https://www.pressreader.com/spain/la-vanguardia/20131126/282119224328183
  54. https://www.diariovasco.com/rc/20131127/mas-actualidad/sociedad/plataforma-religiosa-denuncia-caganer-201311272140.html
  55. https://buzztrips.co.uk/posts/el-caganer-the-mischievous-rogue-in-spains-nativity-scenes/
  56. https://barcelonafr3k.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/caganer/
  57. https://ncac.org/news/blog/catholic-league-objects-to-traditional-figurines-in-art-installation
  58. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2014/12/the-story-behind-the-worlds-most-bizarre-christmas-tradition/
  59. https://caganer.com/en/category/50-universal
  60. https://random-times.com/2020/12/21/21-caganer-the-best-christmas-souvenir-from-spain/
  61. https://www.tiodenadal.online/history-caganer-tradition-catalan-pooper/
  62. https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/12/23/holy-sht-messi-as-youve-never-seen-him-before
  63. https://www.rootsimple.com/2010/03/a-caganer-in-every-garden/
  64. http://www.englishgratis.com/1/wikibooks/christmas/caganer.htm
  65. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TintinFans/posts/5085785021486408/
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