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He’s a defecating log with an exuberant smile on his face. And he brings holiday joy to Catalan children every Christmas.
I don’t really quite remember the exact moment when I heard about the peculiar Catalan tradition of the Tió de Nadal (Christmas log), commonly called the Caga tió (pooping log). I’m sure that it took awhile for me to process it all: a log becomes personified, and his excrements take the form of small holiday gifts.
The Tradition
Found in Christmas fairs and shops around Catalonia during the holidays, the caga tió is a piece of lumber with eyes, nose, a smile, and wears a traditional Barratina hat. He’s perched on two sticks as front legs.
Every year starting on December 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), children save their leftovers from meals like fruit or orange peel for the cheerful log to eat. He is also covered with a blanket so that he doesn’t get cold at night. With so much food, he’ll have enough to produce “poop”, that is, small gifts for the children. On Christmas Eve after dinner, excited kids gather around the tió. With sticks, they beat the log while singing a tradional song.
One of the many caga tió songs (from Wikipedia):
| “Caga tió, caga torró, avellanes i mató, si no cagues bé et daré un cop de bastó. caga tió!” |
Shit log, shit nougats (turrón), hazelnuts and cottage cheese, if you don’t shit well, I’ll hit you with a stick, shit log! |
By chanting this, they’re encouraging the log to “poop” presents under the mysterious blanket. Then the children are asked to go in another room. Or, an adult peeks under the blanket to see if the tió had a lovely bowel moment. And out comes a gift — they’ll see candy, nuts, torron (nougat), and/or other small toys. Ain’t no party like a poop party.
At the Christmas Fairs
While these are by no means traditional caga tiós found in homes, below are a few varying figures are on display at the Christmas markets. (Excuse me, but my eyes have still been feasting on all the holiday goods.)
These small caga tió’s are devouring some grapes before the Big Day.
Baby caga tiós — with their own pacifiers.
Bite-sized caga tiós.
Hipster caga tió…with a pipe!
A caganer, which is a caga tío. A double defecating Catalan Christmas icon!
Caga tió faces to adorn your refrigerator.
And pencils, of course. We need caga tió pencils!
Holy Caga! That was very interesting ! I wish my pooping was revered as much as this guy’s ….. Maybe it’s cuz what I produce isn’t a socially acceptable form of a gift. Thanks Justine ! Love the blog!
Nice