Molise shows a rich heritage of traditional festivals that highlight ancient and religious values and a deep cultural identity.
Festivals and Traditions of Molise
Festivals and Traditions of Molise
by Mauro Gioielli
Sant’Antonio Abate
January the 17th is the day during which the Abbot Saint Anthony is remembered: he is the saint of fire and pork. The day before, in Colli al Volturno, Frosolone, Forlì del Sannio and other towns, some musicians play music around the town begging for money and offerings.
Carnival
The Carinval rites of the “Cervo” in Castelnuovo all Volturno and of the “Diavolo” in Tufara are characteristic. They represent two ancient zoomorphic masks, which bring two different spectacular and engaging representations to life, respectively during the Carnival Sunday (il Cervo) and the Shrove Tuesday (I Diavolo).
San Giuseppe
On March the 19th, among different municipalities (Toro, Riccia, Casacalenda, Montorio nei Frentanti, and so on) are set up the so called “Tavole di San Giuseppe”. The families which prepare them, by representing the Holy Family, invite home some relatives and the poor of the town to eat together traditional meals. In some places they light a bonfire (Venafro) or set up some altars dedicated to the saint.
Our Lady of Sorrows of Castelpetroso
Our Lady of Sorrows of Castelpetroso is the patron of Molise. She is celebrated on March the 22nd and the last Sunday of September. Her cult began after her apparition to a local little shepherd girl in in 1888. The Basilica, in Castelpetroso, is continuously visited by pilgrims and is an important center for the religious tourism.
Good Friday
The Good Friday processions of Isernia and Campobasso are particularly suggestive. The Isernia one is characterized by the presence of the so called “incappucciati”: faithful people whose faces are covered, which carry the statues of Mater Dolorosa and of the Dead Christ. The one of Campobasso, instead, is known for the imposing chorus, that sings thee melting hymn “Teco vorrei”.
Carresi
They are traditional ox-carts races. In San Martino in Pensilis, on April the 30th, the carrese recalls the arriving of Saint Leo’s relic. The winning cart will carry the statue of Saint Leo during the procession on May the 2nd. In Ururi, the carrese is linked to the devotion to the Holy Relic (a piece of the Christ’s cross). On May the 3rd, day of the Holy Cross, the carts are conducted in front of the church, where they are blessed before the race. The winning cart will carry the relic during the procession. In Portocannone, the carrese celebrates the festivity of Lady of Constantinople, the Monday after the Pentecost. The winning cart will carry the statue of the Virgin in this case too.
San Pardo
The town of Larino celebrates Saint Pardo (on May the 25th, 26th and 27th) with an ox-carts parade. The carts are decorated with flowers, hand-made fabrics, and other objects (such as olive branches, holy pictures, and so on).
Corpus Domini
In Campobasso, Corpus Domini is characterized by the Misteri Fstival. During the first half of the XVII Century AC, the sculptor Paolo Saverio Di Zinno, made some metal structures named “ingegni” and, nowadays, children and adults climb them to stage some scenes from The Old and the New Testament. Thanks to the metal structures, the characters seem to hover in the air.
Grain’s Festivities
On July the 26th, in Pescolanciano and Jelsi, the festivity of Saint Anne is celebrated. In Pescolanciano, during the eve’s late afternnon, is organized a parade with decorated sheaves of wheat. In Jelsi, the celebration of Saint Anne is characterized by peculiar means of transport: the “traglie”, which are decorated with some artistically worked ears of whea.
San Basso
On August the 3rd and the 4th, in Termoli, takes place the celebration of the patron Saint Basso. The most suggestive moment is the one during the procession on the sea, when the statue of the saint is carried on the sea by some fishing boats.
Marian festivities
During the month of September, in many places of Molise, some festivities are celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary, around her birthday (on September the 8th). Indiprete celebrates Our Lady of the Free, Castelmauro celebrates Our Lady of Health, every three years Capracotta celebrates the Virgin of Loreto, Guardialfiera celebrates the Virgin of Carmel, Roccavivara celebrates Our Lady of Reeds and Roccasicura Our Lady of Vallisbona.
Santi Medici
During the month of September, in many places of Molise, some festivities are celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary, around her birthday (on September the 8th). Indiprete celebrates Our Lady of the Free, Castelmauro celebrates Our Lady of Health, every three years Capracotta celebrates the Virgin of Loreto, Guardialfiera celebrates the Virgin of Carmel, Roccavivara celebrates Our Lady of Reeds and Roccasicura Our Lady of Vallisbona.
Christmas
In Molise, to celebrate Christmas, some bonfires are lightened up on Christmas Eve night. Two events deserve a focus: the ”’Ndocciata” in Agnone and the “Faglia” in Oratino. The first one consists of a parade of many fan-shaped torches during the sunset on December the 24th. The second one, represents a huge candle, a dozen meters high, made of hundreds of bundled reeds, and carried around the town on Christmas Eve’s night and then is left to burn in front of the Cathedral.
