3 Galician Christmas traditions that you may not know about

We have officially started one of the most magical and special times of the year. Surely more than one family has its own customs or rituals for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or Reyes Magos' Day, but today we have come to review some Galician Christmas traditions that you may not know and that are very curious. Let's start!

We have officially started one of the most magical and special times of the year. Surely more than one family has its own customs or rituals for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or Reyes Magos' Day, but today we have come to review some Galician Christmas traditions that you may not know and that are very curious. Let's start!

The Apalpador

In case you didn't know, in Galicia we have our own version of Santa Claus, although he doesn't live in the North Pole, but in the depths of O Courel and O Cebreiro. The Apalpador or Pendigueiro is a charcoal-burner by profession who comes down every Christmas Eve (or New Year's Eve, depending on the region) to leave presents for the little ones.

The Apalpador sneaks into each house and feels the children's tummies to check that they have eaten enough during the year. He leaves them a handful of chestnuts and, if they have behaved well, he also leaves a gift for them.

The "tizón" or "Cepo de Nadal".

If we talk about Christmas logs, we may think of the typical marzipan or chocolate dessert, however, in some areas of Pontevedra and Lugo, another type of log is traditional.

On Christmas Eve, some Galicians still preserve the custom, of Celtic origin, of lighting the lareira and burning a log during the evening. Only one half of the log is allowed to be consumed and the other half is kept throughout the year. To this blight is attributed home protection and curative properties.

Feira do Capón

Although the Galician gastronomic fame of this season goes to seafood, there is another product that enjoys great recognition among Galicians and, increasingly, internationally. On the Sunday before Christmas, the Feira do Capón is organized in the municipality of Vilalba, in Lugo.

These animals, which can reach up to 20 kilos, and their fair, have been in Galician tradition for centuries.In addition, since 2017, the Capón de Vilalba has the Protected Geographical Indication.

Although it is usual for the fair to be held on a Sunday, this year the tradition has been recovered this Tuesday, after the stoppage motivated by the pandemic.

These are some of the Galician customs that may surprise you, but there are many more, such as tables full of the most exquisite delicacies from the sea, Christmas baskets or singing panxoliñas or Christmas carols. And you, do you know any different?