Traditions: Origin of the crib figurines
The santons that decorate European nativity scenes are said to have originated in Provence at the beginning of the 16th century.e siècle. En effet, comme à l’église on présentait une crèche « vivante » pour rappeler la Nativité, ces petits personnages qu’on appelait « les santoun » (petits saints) ont été créés pour garnir la crèche de Christmas dans les familles provençales.
In 1803, in Marseille (France), a first Santon Fair was organized; the tradition has continued, since it still takes place today from the end of November to the beginning of each year in the Old Port. Over time, the painted santons were covered with traditional clothing, tailored to their size, each indicating the characteristics of their profession.
The materials
While the first santons were made from breadcrumbs, it was gradually the red clay of Provence that became the raw material. The clothes are generally made from fabrics typical of the region. Over the years, the village was added, to be arranged all around the nativity scene, consisting of miniature terracotta dwellings of all kinds and various colors.
The main characters
Outre l’Enfant-Jesus, Marie et Saint-Joseph, les bergers et les Rois Mages, on compte une large famille de santons représentant des animaux ainsi que des artisans et autres personnes du peuple. Par exemple, le curé, le tambourinaire, le pêcheur, la poissonnière, le porteur d’eau, la fermière, le jardinier, le meunier. Mais aussi l’aveugle et son fils, le Bartoumieu à l’allure négligée, la bohémienne et son bébé, l’idiot du village appelé « le ravi », et Marius (inspiré du personnage attachant, d’Alphonse Daudet, nommé Tartarin).
Finally, there is also the angel, the official messenger of the birth of the Child Jesus. The most famous in Provence is called Boufareu (the one who blows); he plays the trumpet to guide people to the stable. His place is just above the manger.
Note :
There are around a hundred santon-making workshops in France.
A Santon Museum was opened in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse in 1987. It houses 2,000 pieces.
