Catalan Holiday Tradition

Every year Millions of Christians set up Nativity sets in their homes all over the world. The Nativity usually contains, Mary and Joseph, The Manger, a cow and a Donkey. Then the arrivals Shepherds with their sheep and Wise men with Camels, Last to show up would be the Baby Jesus and an Angel.

In Catalonia, Valencia, and Southern France, the Nativity is a bit Larger, it is Bethlehem, the City. Sometime during the 18th century a specific character showed up, The Caganer. (kaya' ne), Traditionally the figure is a male peasant but over time that has changed and now he or she (can be either) is placed somewhere in the City and finding it brings good luck. (Sort of a "Where's Waldo". It would appear that while everyone in Bethlehem was doing what ever Bethlehemians do to stay busy at the moment of Christ's Birth, one poor slob was in the process of Defecating.  That Character has become famous, and as a figurine can be bought in many forms, from The Queen of England or the Pope to Lady Gaga or Sponge Bob.

Catalonia Nativity in Mall....

You can probably tell from the photo's below, just how popular the Character has become.

Care for your own Caganer, just pick the face you want

Look...