The Signature
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Day of the Dead in Sicily: A Celebration of Life By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
It might sound like an oxymoron, but Il Giorno dei Some traditions were a bit darker, though. In one, on Morti (The Day of Dead), an ancient Catholic celebration the night before the Day of the Dead, people used to hide honoring departed ancestors, loved ones and relatives, all the food graters in the house because legend had it is not a time to be sad. Instead, it is a time to celebrate that the deceased would use them to scratch the feet of the cycle of life and a way to exorcise the pain of losing children who misbehaved while they were asleep. beloved ones. Sicilian anthropologist Giuseppe Pitrè tells that, in the The name of the celebration, which falls on Nov. 2, past, Sicilian children used to leave their shoes on window might sound like a scary Halloween movie. However, sills in the hope that their dead relatives would place gifts even though it falls close to Halloween, it feels more like for them. Some would say dead relatives “turn themselves Christmas time in Italian culture. This holiday is similar to into ants” so they can enter easily into the homes to fill the El Dia de los Muertos, a traditional Spanish and Latin the baskets and the socks prepared by the kids with gifts. American celebration in which Catholic families gather to Since presents are only for good children, on the night make a pilgrimage to cemeteries and spiritually reunite of Nov. 1, kids who misbehaved promise to work on with their beloved ones. changing. On Il Giorni dei Morti, the spirits of the dead are Over the past few years, the Day of Dead has been welcomed in a friendly way. Their “annual homecoming” often connected to Halloween, raising concern among is a time to be symbolically connected with their families some groups of Catholics who fear that the latter might and loved ones by eating, drinking, and bringing back the overshadow this ancient religious celebration. Indeed, good old memories. It is a way to keep “alive” the bond Halloween parties are now often organized across the between the living and the dead. country in discos and clubs. According to some historians, this festive tradition, As for every Sicilian holiday, a plethora of eye-catching which blends paganism and the Holy Scriptures, dates sweets are prepared during this celebration. back to early Christian times. It was first established by The traditional “cosi ruci” (sweets) include “frutta St. Odilo, fifth Abbot of Cluny, in 998 AD. martorana” (martorana fruits), a confection of almond Many different stories and explanations for the Day of the Dead celebrations exist in Sicilian culture. According to one legend, on the night of Nov. 1, departed ancestors, loved ones and relatives visit children in their homes to bring them presents. Giovanni Verga, Italian novelist and playwright, vividly describes this old tradition: “On the ‘Day of the Dead, walking on tiptoes, mothers put toys and sweets in the tiny shoes of their children while they are dreaming of long lines of white ghosts carrying glittering presents. Smiling young girls try on, in front of the mirror, the earrings or If you have a sweet tooth, the Sicilian Day of the Dead celebration honoring the ones who passed away, will be your favorite time! Rame di Napoli cookies are among the most popular treats. You will find them in any pasticcerie (pastry shops) and panifici (bakeries) during the brooch they were given by this time of the year. (Photo by Alberto Lunetta) their fiancées.” "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11
