Catalans are a very proud people. They have many traditions you can’t find anywhere else. They claim they created the first pa amb tomàquet, they build castells, and they speak their own language. But there is one tradition that is different than anything I have ever seen: Caga Tió.
The Pooping Log
Caga Tío literally means “S***ing Log”. I’m not joking.
On December 8, Caga Tió arrives at the kids houses. He comes down from the mountains and the kids have to go out and find him. The kids then bring him into their homes and cover him with a blanket so he doesn’t get cold. Every day, the kids feeds him. Tió likes cookies, orange peels, and nuts. In the morning, there is no food in his bowl. He eats all the food!
Around Christmas, usually the day after Christmas on St. Stephen’s Day, Caga Tió is ready to “leave his presents”. It’s not easy for him, though. The kids take sticks and bang on him while singing a song. There are a few versions of the song. The one I know is:
Caga Tió
Tió de Nadal
No caguis arengades
Que són salades,
Caga torrons,
Que són mes bons.
Caga Tió!
It basically translates to: Caga Tió, Christmas log, don’t “defecate” sardines because they are too salty. -Defecate- turrón because they are better. Caga Tió!
He “leaves” presents.
After the kids have beaten the poor log and sang the song, they look under the blanket. He has “left” them presents. He usually leaves candy, turron, sometimes socks, etc. When he’s all done, he leaves and goes back to the mountains until the following year..
Kids beating Tió (Source)
I wanted to have a Caga Tió for myself, so I went to the Christmas market in town and bought a mini one. Some families pass him down through the generations. About 50 years ago, Tiós were made from logs found in the woods. Now they put googley eyes and faces on them. Mine is wearing the traditional red Catalan hat and has his own little blanket. Most families have much larger Tiós than me.
My Caga Tió!
Bon Nadal!
UPDATE: Our school has one out in the hallway and yesterday the children left orange peels for him, and today there were cookies! The Tió in my school is very big! The kids feed him orange slices and cookies every day.
