In a video In social networks around Christmas, the Barcelona football coach, the Catalan Xavier Hernández, known as Xavi, is circulating with his wife Núria Cunillera and their two children with some sticks on a log. Xavier and his family sing a little song and invite the log to poop. They then lift a blanket from the back of the log and discover that the invitation has caused the piece of wood to produce candy and some gifts. It is a scene that may seem paradoxical or at least incomprehensible to those who are not Catalans, but it is in fact an ancient tradition associated with Christmas that is still very fashionable in Catalonia and other areas of southern Europe: that Tió de Nadal, literally the “Christmas fire”.
Like other Christmas traditions, the tribe where gifts are made has an ancient origin that is difficult to reconstruct due to subsequent and inevitable contamination with other cultures. According to historians, it is probably related to the tradition of the Christmas tree, which was instead established in the Nordic countries, and also has some similarities with the “Christmas tree”, that is, the tradition of burning a large Christmas tree, widespread in various parts of Europe Put a log in the family fireplace and let it burn until Epiphany as a sign of good luck.
In the myths and legends of Catalonia, the Tió is treated as a figure with an almost human appearance. During Christmas time, in the homes of many Catalan families, there is a tradition of holding a small tree trunk, usually no more than 30 centimeters long and sometimes supported by a few sticks, so that it is slightly above the ground so that it stands up The face painted on him is more visible. In ancient times, the tradition was to simply keep a regular suitcase at home without any special decorations.
👨👩👧👦 EL XAVI MÁS FAMILIAR.
🎄 This was a traditional way to celebrate the arrival of gifts. pic.twitter.com/I3I3nDmNxC
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) December 26, 2023
The Tió de Nadal is issued from December 8th, the day of the Immaculate Conception, and its care is usually entrusted to the children living in the house. Every evening they have to offer the tribe something to eat and make sure it doesn't get cold by partially covering it with a blanket. The game puts children in charge, knowing that they must keep the tribe healthy so that it will one day produce candy and gifts.
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, part of the Tió de Nadal was placed in the fireplace and the tribe was then forced to free themselves and throw out the presents. Since few houses have a fireplace these days, the residents of the house simply hit the trunk with a few sticks and sing various songs to help it with its special peristalsis.
The tradition of beating Tió de Nadal in a 19th century print
Before they get involved in the beating of the trunk, the children are asked by the adults of the house to go to another room and pray that Tió de Nadal manages to free himself. Tradition also dictates that the sticks used to cut the log be heated near a heat source, usually the kitchen. This way, the children are distracted while the adults have time to lift the blanket that protects the back of the suitcase and hide the gifts, simulating making them.
One of the most popular songs sung by tapping on the trunk is called Caga tió in Catalan, but it also conveys the idea perfectly in Italian. The song contains various references to the tribe being urged to produce different types of sweets and not to “poop” on “too salty” foods such as herring. Then there are veiled threats that a certain constipation will result in the trunk being beaten with greater violence: i, si no vols cagar, et donaré un cop de bastó!.
It is not clear whether this is done out of a certain degree of truthfulness or out of respect for him, but Tió de Nadal never makes large objects, also because, according to Catalan tradition, these are then carried by the Magi or other biblical figures. What the tribe leaves behind are mainly sweets, dried fruits and, in some areas of Catalonia, typical fruits that were consumed at that time, such as dried figs. The gifts produced are also intended for the whole family and are not intended exclusively for children's consumption.
Recently, versions of the Tió de Nadal can often be found in local craft stores and for Christmas decorations. In addition to the face, artificial hair made of wool threads and the barretina, the typical Catalan hat, are attached to one of the two ends of the torso.
The tradition of Tió de Nadal always triggers a certain amused astonishment among non-Catalans: a few years ago the actor Viggo Mortensen even described it in an episode of the Late Late Show with James Corden.