“At Carnival every joke is worth it” goes the famous saying that accompanies the year’s most cheerful and colorful celebration. This means that, during the celebration, all social constraints fall away, all precepts dissolve, and, above all, that jokes must be accepted, as long as they aren’t offensive. In the triumph of freedom and excess, classical iconography brings us images of taverns and tables laden with every good thing, sizzling sausages, steaming meatballs, macaroni with tomato sauce, and flowing wine. A lively throng of sated, ruddy-cheeked diners, flasks and glasses in hand, celebrate abundance and the simple joys of life.
But what is the true meaning of Carnival? The most widespread opinion seems to support the theory of Carne(m)levare, a Latin etymology, referring to the period immediately following, namely Lent, when people abstain from eating meat. Another school of thought holds a connection with the Navigium Isidis, or the carrus navales, dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis, protector of sailors. On March 5th, the date navigation resumed, a procession took place in Imperial Rome on a wooden paddle-wheeled boat, entirely covered in floral tributes, while attendees dressed in various costumes and disguises danced and sang.
The Magic of Carnival: from ancient Roman Rites to Sicily’s colorful traditions
Carnival, as a complex form of entertainment, has a common basis among peoples, even though it manifests itself in different ways depending on the place, culture, and era. The birth of Carnival in Sicily dates back to the Greco-Roman era, with Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences.
Among the towns that celebrate Carnival in grand style are Sciacca, Acireale, and Palazzolo Acreide. Among the traditional masks, that of Peppe Nappa stands out. He portrays a lazy, listless, and greedy servant. He wears modest light blue clothes with sleeves too long for his arms.
In Saponara, near Messina, on Shrove Tuesday, the evocative “Bear and the Princely Court” parade takes place, commemorating a historical event. Prince Domenico Alliata had a bear captured that was roaming around the village, frightening the population. Once captured, the bear was chained and displayed along the streets, as proof of the nobleman’s power and superiority over nature and his fellow men.
Sweets and Celebration: the royal history of “Chiacchiere”
Yesterday, as today, “Chiacchiere” are prepared, reviving a custom popular in ancient Rome. During the Saturnalia, the typical sweets were Frictilia: flour, eggs, and sugar, fried in lard, dipped in honey, and distributed to the throngs of people who crowded the squares and outdoor spaces.
The name originates from Queen Margherita of Savoy, who invited the chef to create a delicacy to be enjoyed between “one chat and another.”
Amid the relentless rhythm of music, wild dancing, quips and jokes, confetti and streamers, allegorical floats and masked groups enliven the city streets, offering glimpses of lightheartedness to those present. A moment of escape and a break from everyday life. For a few days, sadness and worries vanish in a ritual of exhilarating collective memory.
@Alvice Cartelli
