El Caganer - Catalonia Christmas Tradition

El Caganer

In the principality of Catalonia Spain, it has become customary to decorate the traditional nativity scene with an extra something, or rather someone.

This extra character is known as El Caganer, also known as "The Pooper".
While traditionally the ceramic figure has been that of a Shepard, contemporary figures range in all different personalities, including, Hello Kitty, American Presidents, Star Wars Characters, Religious Icons such as the Pope and movie actors and characters, the list is endless, there is also a service to have "Poopers" custom made of family members....

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard is a French Anti-Santa that arrives on St Nicholas Day to punish naughty children by whipping them. Le Père Fouettard is depicted in red and black clothing, perhaps a throwback to his anti-Roman roots.

The whipping Father has his roots in the 16th-century medieval siege in the city of Metz, a war between the Holy Roman Empire and Henry II of France. The war lasted for 8 years, and during holiday seasons, effigies of the Roman Emperor were made and dragged through the street. Local tanners would whip the effigy as it passed, thus creating Father Whipper in the imaginations of generations to come.