This is the traditional Catalan cagatio, literally translated it is the "sh*t log" , but Christmas log sounds nicer to me ! It wears the traditional Catalan barretina and it can be found in Christmas markets nowad
ays. See some feet on the right of the shot for an idea of the proportions. The tradition is that fifteen days before Christmas (on Dec 8th, which is a Catholic holiday in Spain), the log makes his appearance in Catalan homes, where he must be fed with oranges and cookies at least once a day and it is covered with a blanket to keep him warm (see the picture on the left, courtesy of the net). On Christmas Eve, before the traditional Christmas dinner, the kids start beating the log with sticks, singing traditional songs , to make him...well, empty his bowels!
Then the blanket is removed to expose the surprise: the log has released small wrapped gifts, which are called ..."the sh*ts", how original! Please note that according to the local Christmas traditions, Spanish children get their large presents from the Three Wise Men on the Eve of January 6th .
More in the wiki. And an update: we were not born here and came as adults, this is one tradition we didn't follow at home when our son was small, and not now, either. But it's fun to see the logs every year!
More Ruby Tuesdays pictures are found here.
ays. See some feet on the right of the shot for an idea of the proportions. The tradition is that fifteen days before Christmas (on Dec 8th, which is a Catholic holiday in Spain), the log makes his appearance in Catalan homes, where he must be fed with oranges and cookies at least once a day and it is covered with a blanket to keep him warm (see the picture on the left, courtesy of the net). On Christmas Eve, before the traditional Christmas dinner, the kids start beating the log with sticks, singing traditional songs , to make him...well, empty his bowels!Then the blanket is removed to expose the surprise: the log has released small wrapped gifts, which are called ..."the sh*ts", how original! Please note that according to the local Christmas traditions, Spanish children get their large presents from the Three Wise Men on the Eve of January 6th .
More in the wiki. And an update: we were not born here and came as adults, this is one tradition we didn't follow at home when our son was small, and not now, either. But it's fun to see the logs every year!
My World Tuesday pictures are in turn over here.
The big news (for this blogger) : last Tuesday I published some pictures from the fascinating night display featuring the Moon, Jupiter and Venus. It was beautiful to watch and I submitted my pictures to the Discovery Channel just for fun... to my huge surprise I got an e-mail on Friday telling me one of my pictures belonged to a total of 10 (ten!) of all submissions to be featured in the Discovery Channel/ Space!! click here to see it. I am thrilled, to say the least! and I just had to share my excitement with you!!!
Great shot and congrats on having a pic featured on the Discovery Channel.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Regina In Pictures
Thanks for sharing your tradition, which I'm sure your children look very forward too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on having your photos included in a Discovery Channel slideshw. Very cool!
Great Catalan World.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
Thank you for sharing the tradition, it's such fun to learn more about how the holidays are celebrated in other parts of the world. AND a HUGE congratulations on your photots being included in the Discovery Channel program! They were fabulous!
ReplyDeleteFascinating tradition. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDO you follow that interesting tradition at your home the name just astounds me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hmmm....interesting ....tradition! The logs are cute.
ReplyDeleteBig congrats on the discovery channel posting!
That's an interesting tradition! It cracks me up that it's called the sh*t log!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, it's fun to learn about other traditions!!
That's really cool that your picture was included in the Discovery Chanel! Congratulations! I love that shot!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mar! Your photograph was well deserving to be included. That is so cool.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about the logs. What an interesting tradition and one I don't think I've ever heard of. The name made me laugh. I feel sure I would have remembered it for the name alone if I had heard of it, ha.
congrats on the Discovery Chanel! That's so cool.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you share with us last year some extra character in the spanish nativities who is also mooving his bowels? what's the obsession? ;)
Mar - how exciting!! Congratulations on getting your photo on Discovery.It is a very good one!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I have never seen nor heard of these logs. Very interesting. And CONGRATULATIONS about the Discovery Channel! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this tradition either - funny name but the logs are very cute.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo for the Discovery Channel.
Thanks for sharing the tradition, funny the different things that each culture has come up with. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the photo.
great photo and congrats, very interesting tradition. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletewith all due respect, this tradition is by far the most bizarre I have heard, but very funny.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your success with the discovery channel. That is great news! Yay!
The logs are cute. But to an American, it seems a rather unusual tradition. I suppose they would think a lot of our traditions strange as well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your photo! I can see why it was chosen. It's an amazing shot!
That's wonderful ! I am happy for you, you must be very proud isn't that a nice feeling when your "work" is appreciated ! (Herrlich !!)
ReplyDeleteNone of the catholic countries uses surprises me anymore, in Italy it's a witch (Befana) who brings the gifts on Jan. 6th ! Christmas was without tree when Mr. Gattino was a child but everybody had a huge crèche !
Those logs are so cute! Maybe I'll try my hands on it someday... And congratulations on your published photos over the Discovery Channels, whoa you are famous now!!
ReplyDeletewow. congratulations. you truly deserve it 'coz you take great pictures. again, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI was told in my part of the world (in Asia) the Moon, Jipiter and Venus has a 'up-side-down' alignment... Check out one of my friend's shot here http://firestartar.multiply.com/photos/album/65/Early_Dec_Skies_2008#11
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be featured on the Discovery Channel page! I'm thrilled for you. I saw the three of them together here too, but here it was visible in the daytime :).
ReplyDeleteAs for the logs, they are very cute but I'll admit to being a tiny bit skeeved out by the idea of having a log sh*t presents...
I've never heard of such a tradition, but that's what makes blogging so interesting isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the picture for the Discovery Channel, that's indeed very good news, you can be proud of yourself Mar!
You're very welcome about that link for Photo Scape, of course I don't mind, I like helping people out!
That's a lovely post on the sh*t log. What a tradition for the Spanish! hehe....
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your photo being picked for Discovery Channel! Woot!
ohmygosh! they're so cute! oh, and congrats for the Discovery Channel feature (wow!).
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of that, interesting. I love that about MWT, you always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteSee?!!!! I told you....I told you. Now you will listen to me. I told you many times your photos should be published!! And look. Way to go!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the sh!ts log too. Oh well, call me weird, but I think it would be a fun tradition. My curiosity would be to find out just what pops out. Okay....I WILL stop now.
I wonder how long it will take before those logs will be a hype in the Benelux. Congratulations on picture for the Discovery Channel. You can be proud on this big news. No wonder you're so excited about it.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard anything like your logs. They may really take off. I can't wait to go see your picture. How exciting. I know I would be very very thrilled to be on the Discovery Channel. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWell, congrats, Mar! I saw that photo on your blog when you posted it. It's marvelous! Also that tradition of the little logs is adorable. And yes Dec 8th is a Catholic holiday all over the world - it's the Feast of the Immaculate Conception! :) Great RT post! :)
ReplyDeletewhat an interesting post about the logs...not a tradition i would particularly like to teach a child but, interesting all the same.
ReplyDeleteand congrats on your photo being selected to appear on the discovery channel.
have a great week.
What an odd - and FUN tradition! I love to hear about other countries traditions and wonder how on earth some of them started once upon a time... *giggles*
ReplyDelete...and CONGRATS x millions for your moon shot publishing! YEAY. Totally cool :-)
Holy cow! That photo is amazing (of the moon/jupiter/mars). I took some, but they're nowhere near anything like that!
ReplyDeleteLove you description of the logs!And congrats on the photo/Discovery thing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! You picture is beautiful! :-) And that is funny about the logs.
ReplyDeletehow cute can that be??? mine's also up!:) happy RT!
ReplyDeleteNeat photos and what a fascinating tradition. I wonder what its roots are... guess I'll follow your wikipedia link and see if they will tell me.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun learning about traditions from other parts of the world. Thanks.
What an awesome tradition! I've never heard this story. I ♥ visiting memes and learning something new. Thanks for the history. :) Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteMy first Ruby Tuesday.
Congratulations! What an honor. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Congrats on making the Discovery Channel. I am on my way over right now!
ReplyDeleteMar: What an interesting tradition, I thought you were going to say that it was burnt and something happened. Traditions around the world are special.
ReplyDeleteas we would say in Brooklyn - those little s**ts are awesome - and they really are
ReplyDeletecongrats on having your photo included in such a cool place, that is wonderful!!
Yes ... interesting tradition! I met some Catalan children last year and heard about ~ umm, yes!!!
ReplyDelete