Ndocciata

Ndocciata is an ancient Christmas festival celebrated in Molise, Italy, specifically in the city of Agnone. On the evening of December 24 the “Ndocciata” of Agnone is a parade of a great number of “‘ndocce” (torches), structures with a typical fanwise shape, made of silver fir pinewood pallets.^[1] They may be only one torch or, more often, with multiple torches up to twenty fires. 4 metres high, “‘ndocce” are transported by different carriers dressed in traditional costumes. The big bell of St. Anthony’s Church is rung, and groups from the cities’ districts (Capammonde and Capabballe, Colle Sente, Guastra, Onofrio, San Quirico) consisting of hundreds of carriers of all ages, light their ndocce (torches) to set off along the main streets which thus becomes what locals call a “river of fire.” There is a choral participation and bagpipers along the roads of the village, and groups compete in order to have the biggest and the most beautiful “‘ndocce”. The procession ends with a bonfire called “Bonfire of Brotherhood” at Plebiscite Square where a Nativity scene is displayed.^[2]

History

The Ndocciata torchlight parade

The roots of the festival precede the Christian and Roman eras to the time of the Samnite tribes. The Samnites were using ndocce as a source of light during the strategic tribal shifts that occurred at night. The tradition has since been passed down to farmers (noted after the 800’s) that sought to illuminate the path from the various districts that took them to reach the many churches in town on Christmas night and witness the Nativity.^[3] Different traditions have been reflected in Ndocciata over the years, for example, if the wind blew from the north during the bonfire it was expected to be a good year. During medieval times, a roaring fire from the torches helped overcome witches.^[4] Another Ndocciata tradition recalls that boys on this occasion tried to make a good impression in the eyes of the town girls they were competing for, and they tried to create the most beautiful and compact (in order to make it last longer) ndocce. At the end of the parade the ndoccia was brought under the window of the girl on which he pinned his hope. If she looked out meant that she appreciated the gesture, adversely a bucket of water extinguished the torch and the ardour of youth. The public square bonfire lighting is now meant for people meet to say goodbye to anything negative, and is symbolically burned in the fire. At the end of the parade, a Nativity is displayed symbolizing not only Christmas but renewal for a new year.^[5]

The ndocce are large torches made of silver fir pine and white bundles of dried broom held together by twine. The torches are three to four metres high and sometimes are joined by horizontal poles to form groups that can reach up to twenty torches arranged in the shape of a fan. The carriers wear black complemented with a hood or hat, which is rooted from the ancient garments of the Oscan Samnite tribe as a tacit form of humility.^[6]

Recent events

On The 8th December 1996, the “Ndocciata” paid homage to Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of him joining the priesthood. The Ndocciata was performed at Saint Peters Square before 30,000 onlookers and the Pope issued the proclamation ".... Carrying on their shoulders the gigantic pine torches and forming almost a river of fire to build the Bonfire of the Brotherhood, you proclaim the love of Him who came to bring the fire of the Gospel on earth ..."^[7] The Agnonesi performed a special Ndocciata to celebrate the 600 Anniversary of being proclaimed a city by King Ladislas of Durazzo.^[8] In 2005, the Olympic Torch on its way to the Torino Winter Olympic Games, was a participant in that year’s Ndocciata.^[9]

References

1. ^ Roy Palmer Domenico The regions of Italy: a reference guide to history and culture. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002 ISBN 0313307334
2. ^ Nino Modugno Il mondo magico della notte delle streghe. Credenze e rituali che accompagnano il 24 giugno Hermes Edizioni, 2005 ISBN 887938273X
3. ^ Alfredo Cattabiani Lunario: dodici mesi di miti, feste, leggende e tradizioni popolari d'Italia. A. Mondadori, 2002 ISBN 8804501383
4. ^ Alfredo Cattabiani Lunario: dodici mesi di miti, feste, leggende e tradizioni popolari d'Italia. A. Mondadori, 2002 ISBN 8804501383
5. ^ William D. Crump The Christmas encyclopedia. McFarland & Co., 2006 ISBN 0786422939
6. ^ Nino Modugno Il mondo magico della notte delle streghe. Credenze e rituali che accompagnano il 24 giugno Hermes Edizioni, 2005 ISBN 887938273X
7. ^ City of Agnone Press Release 1996. See http://www.prolocoagnone.com/ndocciata_piazza_san_pietro.htm
8. ^ City of Agnone Press Release 2004 See http://www.prolocoagnone.com/ndocciata2004/
9. ^ City of Agnone Press Release 2006 See http://www.prolocoagnone.com/Eventi%202006/Arrivo%20Torcia%20Olipica%20-%207%20gen%202006%20CB%20-.htm