In the region surrounding Barcellona, in Spain, there is a tradition going back to the 18th century of including figurines depicted in the act of defecation as part of the nativity scene. They are thought to to bring good fortune and a rich harvest. As time passed the use of famous personalities for these figurines, called “caganers”, has become popular. I suspect that there is probably a collector’s market for them by now.
This holiday season Michael Jackson and the Pope were particularly popular.
The figurines sell for between eight and twenty dollars. One can see how the production of fertilizer would come to be used as a metaphor for fertility.
More images and background at the links.
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The Town Scryer is a mixed bag of humor, socio-political observations and ephemera from the perspective of a eclectic Pagan veteran of the counter-culture. Philip Posehn's main blog is at The Town Scryer.
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