EL CAGANER- the universal equalizer

HAPPY SaTurnAllia 12/19/12 

19-foot tall El Caganer - Barcelona

Here are two factoids that one wouldn't necessarily expect to find in the same Wikipedia entry:

"the infant Jesus is God in human form" ...and.... "everyone defecates."

                                                                                                            (Wikipedia search-"ElCaganer")

Ah,

 El CAGANER,

the wondrous Universal Equalizer !!



This much-loved characteristic has been part of traditional Nativity scenes all over Catalonia for centuries. This colourful character is often difficult to spot. El Caganer is usually placed in an obscure area - behind a suitably placed bush, for example - and not actually centre stage with the infant Jesus himself !  One thing is certain, it is an example of Catalon humor!

Originally, El Caganer was always portrayed as a Catalan peasant wearing a traditional hat called a barretina — a red stocking hat (almost identical to  pileus, the felt cap normally worn by the Roman manumitted slave during Saturnalia. Popular hat with the Santa's as well!) .


El Caganer now comes in many shapes and forms, spider man & Krampus are two examples - all performing the exact same action - defecating. That's right :-) actually squatting down, with their trousers round their knees, having a bowel movement!

 


So how did El Caganer get stationed with Maji?
The widely-accepted answer is very simply that Farmers believed ,quite practically, that El Caganer's "offerings" enriches the earth around them making the soil rich and productive for the coming year, thus promising a buena cosecha (a good harvest).  This translates into a general good omen for the future. Upon purchasing a Caganer, you are told that owning one will bring good luck and prosperity ...


          Association of Friends of the Caganer --(Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing...) - states that the figures were meant to add "a human side to the representation of  the mystery of Christmas..."

My wonderful brother-in-law Dale(who is no stranger to ITALY) gave me this philosophical gem when my children were toddlers.....



And so, we welcome El Caganer's presence  as a distinguished part of SaTurnAllia;

El Caganer represents the equality of all people:
 regardless of status, race, or gender, everyone poops!

A Toast...
..To El Caganer ,the 'prosperity' inside each and every one of us!

 ......wand  wishing you also, healthy digestion cycles in 2013!

Io SaTurnAllia

 

\,,|/