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Mysteries 1 - Dressing of Figures
In Campobasso, on the occasion of Corpus Christi, carried on the shoulders by well-organized teams of bearers, the "Misteri" parade: ingenious scenic machines that bring the participants together in living scenes inspired by biblical episodes or the most important religious festivities. Created in 1748 by Saverio di Zinno, these machines manage to give the perfect illusion of characters suspended in the void, blending almost seamlessly with the support element made of a very flexible steel alloy.
Mysteries 2 - Parade
Between two uninterrupted wings of the crowd, the "Misteri" parade at the sustained rhythm set by the musical bands accompanying the procession. The exchange of banter and jests between the "devils" banished by St. Michael and the public, urged to offer a donation in money or food, appears unusual and ironic.
Termoli - San Basso
A crowded sea procession in honor of San Basso takes place on August 3rd of each year in Termoli. It commemorates the miraculous discovery of a sarcophagus containing the saint's miraculous relics. The statue, placed on a boat, is carried in procession along the coast, followed by fishing boats accommodating a large number of faithful. In the evening, the procession continues in the Fishermen's Village and ends at the fish market. The Regata di San Basso has been repeated for centuries and carries a clear propitiatory meaning, seeking protection from the dangers of fishermen's work and the grace of a consistently abundant catch.
Oratino - The Faglia
In the heart of winter, on one of the longest nights, the vivid light of the "Faglia" in Oratino illuminates the faces of participants in a ritual that descends from ancient fire cults celebrated during the winter solstice. The pagan matrix of the Faglia has softened into today's religious ceremony held on Christmas Eve. A torch over 10 meters long, made from reeds collected in the surrounding countryside, is transported to the village and raised next to the bell tower. The lighting of the torch marks the culmination of the event, representing a strong moment of community for the population of Oratino.
Guardialfiera - Nativity
Also at Christmas, an entire village mobilizes for a choral representation of the Nativity in an atmosphere of heartfelt devotion. In Guardialfiera, houses, alleys, and streets come alive with the sounds and voices of hundreds of characters reconstructing and representing scenes from the past. Alongside traditional ancient crafts, characters in period costumes reenact the traditional Nativity figures. Throughout the holiday season, in the oldest part of Guardialfiera, Piedicastello, one can feel the rarefied atmosphere of emotional participation in the deepest mystery of Christianity and the suspension of time around the cradle of the Child.
Teco vorrei - Choir
The death of Christ is also present in popular piety, which, on the occasion of the Passion, manifests with intense involvement. A choir composed of hundreds of people precedes the statues of the Dead Christ and the Madonna in a touching procession through the streets of Campobasso on Good Friday. To the notes composed by Maestro De Nigris for the verses of Metastasio, the singers intone the poignant song "Teco vorrei" in an atmosphere of sincere emotion.
Larino – Carrese of San Pardo
"Another chant, that of the 'Carrese' of San Pardo, characterizes a manifestation of great choral significance. In Larino, in the last days of May, a millennial parade of carts adorned with thousands of cast paper flowers is repeated. Carrese recalls an episode from 842 when the Larinesi managed to seize the relics of San Pardo. The carts, pulled by oxen, travel through the streets of Larino and gather in front of the Cathedral, renewing a spectacle of colors that reaches its peak in the nighttime parade of carts illuminated from the inside.
Ielsi – The Wheat Festival
Other carts parade in Jelsi during the Wheat Festival. Every year, on the occasion of St. Anne's feast day, the 'traglie' parade: sledges made of oak wood traditionally used to transport bundles of wheat to the threshing site. The decorations of the traglie, other allegorical carts, and the streets themselves are made with ears of a particular quality of long-strawed wheat, well-suited for the production of stars, flowers, and stylized animals. The festival has been celebrated since 1805 when Jelsi was spared from the earthquake disaster, according to popular belief, due to the miraculous intervention of Santa.
San Martino in Pensilis – Carrese of San Leo
A real cart race is the Carrese of San Martino in Pensilis, which recalls the miraculous event of San Leo's relics arriving in the village towards the end of the 13th century on a cart pulled by oxen without any human guidance. The race takes place among the carts of the factions of the 'young' and 'young men' that travel along the tratturo first and then the internal streets of the village to compete for the honor of leading the statue of San Leo in the solemn procession. Citizens' participation in preparing for the race is exciting due to the excitement and the sense of belonging to one of the two competing groups.
Ripalimosani – The Horse Race
Another racing competition takes place on August 12 in Ripalimosani. On the tratturo, horses and riders representing the districts into which the town is divided compete for a palio and the honor of entering the church that represents the race's finish line. The church, dedicated to Madonna della Neve in memory of a miraculous snowfall in early August attributed to her intervention, is located a few kilometers from the town atop a hill overlooking the tratturo.
Riccia – The Grapes and Wine Festival
Autumn is the season of grapes and wine: in Riccia, the Grape Festival joyfully renews the celebration of the grape harvest. Amidst music and spontaneous festive dances, decorated carts with grapevines, grape clusters, and panels adorned with grapes parade. Scenes of everyday life and the main field operations are represented on the carts in an atmosphere of friendship and joy.
San Giuliano del Sannio - The Parade of Riflemen
More lively is the 'Parade of the Riflemen' in San Giuliano del Sannio. On May 9, on the occasion of the patron saint's feast, a group of riflemen accompanies the statue of the Saint and fires several rifle volleys. The parade has a clear military origin and is traced back to 1860 when Garibaldi, entering the town with his soldiers, was greeted with a salvo of blank rifle shots.
Tufara – The Devil's Masquerade
The 'Masquerade of the Devil' in Tufara is agitated and almost convulsive. Linked to propitiatory rites announcing the end of carnival and the imminent arrival of spring, the masquerade takes place on Fat Tuesday, with great emotional involvement of the spectators. A procession of devils, masks with an impressive appearance, dressed in goat skins and accompanied by characters representing death and two monks, makes frenetic forays through the village streets. In the evening, on the castle's ramparts, the carnival is put on trial; the death sentence is executed on a dummy taken by soldiers and shot. The dummy, made of old clothes filled with straw, is thrown from the castle wall, and the devils take possession of it, tearing it into pieces scattered in the countryside.
Bagnoli del Trigno – The Brigands
Even the 'Brigands' of Bagnoli del Trigno, during a spontaneous and choral theater performance, are expelled from the village after yet another outrage. During the festivities dedicated to Santa Caterina, the people of Bagnoli engage in a series of historical and reenactment events, reliving an episode of genuine civic solidarity in defense of the University of Bagnoli against the bandits' thefts.
Agnone - The Procession of 'ndocce
The solemn sacredness of popular representations dedicated to Christmas returns to Agnone. On Christmas Eve, the parade of the 'ndocce' takes place: large and spectacular wooden torches produced by the nine hamlets of Agnone. Bagpipes open the impressive procession that advances through clouds of sparks rising from the torches. Together with the 'living scenes' of the Nativity, the 'ndocce' gather in Piazza del Plebiscito and end up burning in the grand 'Bonfire of Brotherhood.'
Scapoli – The Bagpipes Festival
Closely tied to Christmas traditions is the bagpipe, whose Molise tradition dates back to the Samnite civilization. Scapoli is the village where the production of bagpipes survives thanks to the dedication with which some families, from father to son, pass down the knowledge to make bagpipes and highly sought-after flutes used in the functions of Christmas Eve. But Scapoli and the bagpipe are also protagonists of the 'Exhibition Market of the Bagpipe' which, in July, brings together folk groups, musicians, and bagpipe enthusiasts from Italy and countries where the bagpipe culture is still strong.
Castelnuovo al Volturno – The Carnival Deer
Another tradition linked to carnival is that of 'Gli cierv' (The Deer) of Castelnuovo, a hamlet of Rocchetta al Volturno. A character dressed in skins, with the antlers of a deer fixed to the head, arrives in the village descending from the mountain. In the grip of an uncontrollable desire to destroy everything that opposes its progress, 'the deer,' followed by its mate, spreads panic among the people. Only Martino, a character wearing a unique cone-shaped hat, manages to calm it down, immobilizes it, and ties it up. But 'the deer' manages to free itself and resumes its frenzied dance. A hunter, later on, manages to kill it and then resurrects it with a purification ritual.
Forlì del Sannio – The Catuozzo
To invoke the protection of St. Anthony Abbot in Forlì del Sannio, the tradition of the large bonfire that illuminates the cold January night and the cooking of 'ciciarelli' is renewed every year. The wood, carefully stacked in the shape of 'catuozzo,' is set on fire by the oldest person and burns for a long time before the blessing of the domestic animals. Meanwhile, the roasting of cornmeal is completed, which, in ancient times, was intended for feeding animals but is now joyfully consumed by all participants.
Isernia - The Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian
SS. Cosma and Damiano, in Isernia, in September are celebrated with solemn religious ceremonies and a characteristic fair. The relics of the two saint doctors are carried in an evocative procession to the hermitage named after them, located downstream from Isernia. The dense group of devotees follows the carriers with intense devotion and invokes the saints' protection during the anointing of the forehead with blessed oil."