Christmas comes with lots of traditions and each countries have their own.
In most Catholic countries, ceramic Nativity scenes are key displays along with the Christmas Trees.
The tradition of ceramic nativity scenes, also known as nativity sets or creches, can be traced back to 18th-century Naples, Italy. The craft of creating intricate nativity scenes from terracotta or ceramic materials became popular thanks to artisans like Giuseppe Sanmartino and others. These displays depict the biblical scene of the birth of Jesus, featuring figurines of the Holy Family, angels, shepherds, and the Three Wise Men. Over time, the tradition spread across Europe and the world, evolving with various cultural influences and materials, becoming a beloved Christmas decoration.
In Spain and more precisely in Catalan, the tradition took another turn.
The Catalan tradition of the “Caganer” is a unique and somewhat humorous aspect of Christmas celebrations in Catalonia, Spain. The term “Caganer” translates to “the crapper” or “the pooper” in English. It is a figurine depicted in the act of defecation and is typically placed in the nativity scenes alongside traditional characters like Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
The origins of the Caganer tradition are not entirely clear, but it is believed to date back to the 18th century. The figurine is seen as a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and good luck. The act of defecation is seen as a natural and essential part of life. Including the Caganer in the nativity scene is believed to bring good fortune for the upcoming year.
The Caganer figurine is often portrayed in various forms, representing different professions, celebrities, or fictional characters. Modern versions may feature politicians, athletes, or popular figures from pop culture. The inclusion of the Caganer adds a touch of humor and irreverence to the otherwise solemn nativity scene, making it a distinctive and cherished Catalan Christmas tradition.
So obviously, Michael Jackson has been represented as a Caganer figurine. When I first came across the figurine, I was offended and disgusted but in the same time, I wanted to know more and why this exists. So I called one of my friend in Spain who live in Barcelona, a Catalan city and she told me all about this tradition.
Knowing what my friend told me about the tradition, I told her I was still unsure of the representation of Michael in this position and she told me “The clay representations are not intended to be a mockery, but a tribute. Many local celebrities, politicians and sport people get their own Caganers. It’s an honour for them.” and effectively, after some research, I found many local celebrities proudly showcasing their figurines on social media.
When I told her I might write an article on MJVibe about this traditional figurines, she was really excited and said that many Michael Jackson fans in Catalonia will be proud to have their tradition exposed in our community.
I know some of you might be still offended by this, and trust me, I can understand why. However, at MJVibe, we always try to showcase all aspects of the largest fan base in the world, and those type of traditions are part of it.
Now, if you are all in in this tradition, you can purchase the Michael Jackson Caganer HERE.
If your country has also a special tradition that involves Michael Jackson in some sort, email us at manager@mjvibe.com
PS: This article was first shared on our social media but due to the negativity from some fans who did not even read the article, we decided to remove all our posts but to leave this article active for informative purpose and by respect to the Catalan MJ fans.
