In the vibrant city of Barcelona, which happens to be the residence of renowned artist Shakira and her loved ones, there is a new addition to the array of Christmas goodies available for shoppers. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit as you stumble upon an exquisite figurine capturing the essence of the Colombian superstar. Picture this: Shakira, microphone in hand, crouching gracefully with a cheeky twist, all while her pants reside at an unconventional level. Surprisingly, this peculiar depiction isn’t a disrespectful gesture, but rather an esteemed mark of distinction, cherished as part of a longstanding Catalan holiday tradition that dates back centuries.
The caganers, known as “poopers” in a more polite translation, are small figurines that can be found in most nativity scenes. These traditional figurines depict a typical Catalan peasant dressed in historical attire, usually hidden somewhere behind the baby Jesus and other important figures in the Christmas display. Originally, the presence of the defecating man symbolized the act of fertilizing the Earth and bringing good luck for the upcoming year.
In recent times, the caganer has evolved into a means of political satire and, more recently, an expression of celebrity culture. Every year, new collectible caganers are created, designed to resemble popular actors, sports personalities, musicians, and individuals who have made headlines. It comes as no surprise that this year’s collection also includes a depiction of U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump.
Caganer.com, a company that specializes in shipping caganers worldwide, offers a range of music artist figures including Prince, Michael Jackson, Bono, Elton John, and Madonna. One of their peculiar offerings, the Shakira caganer, may not exactly resemble her in a flattering manner, but this unique characteristic adds to its kitsch appeal. Despite being depicted in an unflattering position, the description on caganer.com humorously points out that Shakira remains sexy, mentioning how she appears ready to sing “Waka Waka” with her microphone in hand. The Shakira caganer is priced at 16 euros (approximately $17), excluding shipping costs. Interestingly, Shakira’s husband, the renowned Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, has also been immortalized as a caganer.
