Nativity Pooper -- Spanish Tradition
Dear Citizens of the world,
After finding this figure in a large nativity scene (Belen in Spanish) in a small church in the Pyrenees. I immediately decided to find out more and write a blog. The cagón could be translated as the pooper, crapper or sh!tter. I will use the translation of "pooper" for this post.
This image was shocking to me because I am used to the traditional scene of the happy family, three kings, angels, some farm animals, etc.
Apparently, the tradition of the Nativity Pooper comes from the Catalan region of Spain. The Catalan name is "Cagagner" (click for orignal source in Spanish). The Pooper is a symbol of good luck and prosperity:
Poop = fertilizer = a good harvest = prosperity = happiness
The pooper also gives a more "real" feel to the scenes. These nativities in Spain are huge. They cover several square meters with tons of bark, sand, dirt... and figures that include the poopers.
The nativity scenes even include mechanized figures and lighting to show day and night. The Pooper at the top has a mechanised arm with toilet paper doing a continuous wiping action.
There are poopers with a likeness of famous people - even Obama! Does your nativity scene include an Obama pooper? It doesn't? ... well then I guess that it is not complete!
The United Statesian
