Learning new languages is also learning about new cultures. For this reason, today I am going to talk about some traditions rather than language structures.
November 2, is a special day in many countries. Mexico, for example, celebrates the Día de Muertos, which UNESCO added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
The Italian “Festa dei Morti”
Although Italy doesn’t recognize it as a statutory holiday, it has been considered a pretty important occurrence for centuries. The historical origin of the day dates back to 998, when Benedictine Abbot, Saint Odilo of Cluny (France), decided to commemorate the departed with prayers, celebrations, and funeral tolling of bells.
Eventually, different countries adopted this tradition, and the result was often a combination of pagan rituals and monotheistic ones.
In Italy, depending on the region, you can find several interesting and ancient traditions.
The Sicilian Way
Today, I am going to refer to the tradition I know the most, the Sicilian one, which I experienced as a child, and that I try to carry on even if I am in Canada.
As a child, I knew that on the night between November 1 and 2, all the dead would come and visit us while we slept. Although it might sound spine-chilling, – some of you might think of a sort of Zombies’ attack – kids were very excited about it. In fact, they knew that the following morning, if they had behaved well, they would find a basket filled with goodies and toys, which their ancestors had left for them to enjoy. The goodies I am talking about are very specific and traditional, and they might slightly vary from one city to another. In the basket, a child would find frutta martorana (a delicious fruit-shaped pastry made of marzipan), reginelle, tetù, ossa dei morti (different types of cookies), nuts, tangerines, pomegranate, dried figs, and a “pupa ri zuccaru” (which, in Sicilian dialect, means, “Doll made of sugar”).
The idea of making the kids find these treats has the main purpose of introducing death as a part of life, and creating a connection with their ancestors. After that, the family would go to the cemetery to pay homage to their loved ones.
I still remember one of my elementary teachers who, like others, didn’t approve the association of happiness and death, and who spoiled the joy of many of us by saying that there was nothing to be happy about. According to her, it should only be a day of mourning.
Today, as an adult, I realise that maybe she had lost someone important. Above all, I know that we all have different ways to cope with loss.
Family legacy and Bonds
Despite my teacher’s attempt to make it a sorrowul experience, I still like this tradition for many reasons: good memories and it reminds me of all the mornings when my brothers and I would look all around the house hoping to find the bounty. I always smile thinking of the loved ones I lost, even if my heart is pounding with sadness. Why?
Because I always like to share funny memories of someone who is not with us anymore. It helps me keep the memories of them alive, and remember what they used to be like. In this way, they are not just “ancestors”, but we can actually recognize some of their traits in us. I find that it creates stronger bonds.
This is why, yesterday, I spent the day making my basket look as close as possible to its Sicilian version. I didn’t have a “pupa ri zuccaru”, but I made some cookies, I added a pomegranate, and I baked some bread we typically eat on this day (muffuletta). Finally, I shared my good memories with my kids, hoping that they will cherish this traditional expression of love forever.
I find it funny that humans are most afraid of something that we know is for certain (death). I think it would be amazing that all children be taught that death is indeed a part of life and that our ancestors play important roles in paving the path that we are on now.
I’m glad that you are continuing the tradition!!
Luisa, I totally agree with you. Thank you for your comment. I read that in Naples people light a candle (or “un lumino”) the night before November 2, because it is believed that their ancestors will come visit them overnight. I also read that some people leave the table set with food and pastries so that the souls can feel at home again. Do you know any particular tradition? I would love to know about it!
Yes Claudia, my mother would light “un grande lumino” on a table filled with pictures of her beloved deceased. She lost a brother (in his 20’s), and her mother when she herself was a young mother. She didn’t speak much of death, I think she thought if she didn’t mention it, she would somehow protect us from the pain. Needless to say, it didn’t work – lol.
I really enjoyed reading about your family traditions and celebration of “Festa dei morti”. In my family, my paternal grandmother was the only one who was very passionate about this day. For her, it was all about her beloved husband who died at a very young age. He was Hungarian, and was on the front line, of both World Wars. Maria (my Nonna) missed him every day and lit a candle each night and spoke to him. All Saints Day was for her the most sacred of days. She was my favorite person for so many reasons and I miss her everyday.
Thank you for sharing this memory! I find that sometimes traditions and story-telling can also be a magnifier on people’s heart.