A depiction of Jolakotturinn, the Icelandic Christmas Cat, an Icelandic mythological figure. The first written reports about the Christmas cat date back to the 19th century. (Bourbon-88, Shutterstock)
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TORONTO — For some, the thought of a tall, bearded man sliding down their chimney may be a cause for concern.
Christmas traditions vary widely around the world, and from singing horse skulls to cheeky characters to buckets of fried chicken, here are five Christmas traditions you may not be familiar with.
Horse skulls in Wales
Don’t be alarmed if you meet a singing horse skull outside your door in Wales. From Christmas to early January, the Mari Lwyd tradition sees a decorated horse skull and cloak on a stick, paraded by a person hidden within.
Accompanied by other folk characters, the group will visit homes and sing Welsh songs in exchange for food and drink. First described in 1800, the custom is said to have much older pagan roots. While Mari Lwyd may look terrifying, a visit is actually considered a godsend.
Fried chicken in Japan
In Japan, nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a steaming plate of chicken.
While Christmas itself is not celebrated very widely in the country, many Japanese celebrate the holiday season with Kentucky Fried Chicken. The tradition dates back to a hugely successful marketing campaign in 1974 for a celebratory meal that has since morphed into lineups, packed restaurants and special Christmas “party kegs” that usually need to be ordered weeks in advance. Just add a red hat and jacket, and Colonel Sanders is an easy substitute for Santa, too.
Number two in Spain
In Spain’s Catalonia region, your crib wouldn’t be complete without something naughty.
Known as El Caganer or the Defecator, the holiday figure traditionally depicts a bare-bottomed pawn taking a number two. Although its origins are uncertain, the custom probably developed in the 17th or 18th century and is thought to be associated with fertilization, good health, and wealth.
El Caganer can also be found elsewhere in Spain and Europe, but Barcelona is the best place to buy one as a souvenir, where you can also shop for squatting celebrities, athletes and politicians like former US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can. Catalonia also has a smiley face and a similarly rude Christmas log, beating children with sticks for presents.
A witch in Italy
Even if she looks like a witch, well-behaved children in Italy should be happy to see La Befana. Often depicted as a kind and cartoonishly ugly old woman with a broomstick, she visits children across Italy on the night of January 5th, bringing treats and gifts to the good and coal, onions or garlic to the bad.
Covered in soot, she can enter houses through a chimney like Santa Claus, but then sweeps before leaving. Many families leave her wine and a snack. The tradition is believed to date back to medieval Rome and heralds the start of the Epiphany on January 6, which is a national holiday in the country.
Fashion cat in Iceland
Iceland’s Christmas Cat, or Jólakötturinn, stalks the snowy landscape to devour people who haven’t received new clothes in time for Christmas Eve, which would be a reward for doing work or chores.
The huge and fearsome creature also encourages donations of clothing and is part of a group of folklore characters who either scare children or give them gifts each holiday season. Another is a Krampus-like giantess who devours naughty children and her 13 children who are up to mischief but also leave small gifts in the shoes of good children.
The first written accounts of the Christmas cat date back to the 19th century, although they probably go back much further.
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Daniel Otis, CTVNews.ca via CNN