A BEAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE

Photo by Ekasha through Wickipedia

Most of us in the Western Hemisphere have observed nativity scenes--with the classic figures of the Holy Family, wise men, shepherds, livestock, a defecating man, etc. If you are not familiar with the defecating man (or, nowadays, often a woman), then you probably have not viewed the typical nativity scene from parts of France, Andorra, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. These scenes, often featuring the whole town of Bethlehem and not just the stable, frequently include the "caganer"--usually a figure dressed in peasant garb wearing a bright red cap taking a dump. The caganer is generally concealed in a wooded area far from the actual manger, and children are traditionally issued the challenge of trying to find it--sort of like a "Where's Waldo," except that this search probably originated in the late 1600s.

Many theories exist as to why a whimsical irreverent figurine would be usually included in a religious display in the first place. The real reasons are lost in antiquity, but perhaps it is a reflection on the fact that Jesus and his followers are supposed to be concerned with the real world of the poor, the downtrodden, and those whose only toilet is the forest and not a gilded chamber pot manned by a Groom of the Stool. The down to earth simplicity of the pious pooping peasant may reflect a healthy counterpoint to the pomp and opulence of much of organized religion. In many instances, the figure is used for political commentary--a very popular version a few years ago depicted George W. Bush in the typical caganer pose holding a globe. In any event, the Catholic Church tolerates the presence of the caganer in the Catalan regions of Europe and even has one as a permanent fixture (although not near a nativity scene) in the cathedral at Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain.

And then there is the caganer scandal of 2005 in Barcelona. City officials banned the figure from the municipal nativity scene that year out of fear that its inclusion would appear hypocritical in light of a newly-passed civility ordinance which banned public urination and defecation. After much controversy and discussion (including a proposal that all sides could be satisfied by including the caganer but adding a figure of policeman next to him writing a ticket), the City relented in subsequent years, and the official Barcelona caganer is still with us.

For your very own caganer, or books or even a postage stamp featuring same, there is always eBay.

Photo by Ekasha through Wickipedia