Pooping Obama a Hot Holiday Item Abroad

Throwing tinsel at the tree is no where near as fun as a finding the lil pooping guy in the nativity scene. Cultural awareness is fun! Apparently in some cultures the lil pooping guy is as much of a holiday tradition as a meal with family. This year the pooping Obama  is hot. The Pope is a perrenial favorite as are political figures of all sorts. This seems to be the main source for buying theses specialty items, www.caganer.com.

Huh? Pooping Guy? Christmas?

From wiklpedia.
“In Catalonia, as well as in the rest of Spain and in most of Italy and Southern France, traditional Christmas decorations consist of a large model of the city of Bethlehem, similar to the Nativity scenes of the English-speaking world but encompassing the entire city rather than just the typical manger scene. The caganer is a particular feature of modern Catalan nativity scenes, and is also found in other parts of Spain and southwestern Europe, including Salamanca[1], Murcia (cagones), Naples (cacone or pastore che caca) and Portugal (cagöes)[2]. Accompanying Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Shepherds and company, the caganer is often tucked away in a corner of the model, typically nowhere near the manger scene. There is a good reason for his obscure position in the display, for “caganer” translates from Catalan to English as “pooper”, and that is exactly what this little statue is doing — defecating.”

Pooping Obama is a best-seller
www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3118788.html

Tiny plastic figures of Barack Obama and Gordon Brown relieving themselves in public have become online bestsellers.

They are among a host of politicians, sports stars and celebrities to be given the dubious honour of being turned into a ‘caganer’.

Catalonians traditionally celebrate Christmas by placing a caganer, which translates as pooper, in a nativity scene.

People find it fun to try to spot the tiny defecating figures which are supposed to bring prosperity and a good harvest.

Traditionally, caganers would be small bearded men in full Catalan costume but these days, it’s more likely to be a celebrity. Last year, Barcelona footballer Thierry Henry was the most popular figure sold.

But this year, internet orders from the rest of the world, especially the US, have made Barack Obama the best-seller.

Others immortalised into the mini figures include Mr Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni, plus Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal.