It is a very ancient festival, so much so that we don’t know its origins, which is renewed every year in June, in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, through the memories that are given from generation to generation, from grandparents to grandchildren. strong>
These are very ancient festivals that reveal sexual symbolism: the female element, the Cunocchia, is firmly fixed to the male one, the ‘Ndenna, by means of an iron ring with tightly screwed bolts.
This union symbolically alludes to a sexual act, symbol of perpetuation of life, a fundamental event for the agricultural-pastoral economy of the past.
In the first weeks of June, love is celebrated with a real wedding between the ‘Ndenna (the beech tree, which represents the groom) and the Cunocchia (generally the pine tree, which represents the bride).</strong >
The ‘Ndenna festival is the heart of the associated life of Castelsaraceno. Strength, social cohesion, religious devotion and sacred respect for the natural context that surrounds the village are released around it.
The festival is connected to the various arboreal rituals still present in various towns in Basilicata such as: Accettura, Castelmezzano, Oliveto Lucano and Pietrapertosa, where turkey oak and holly are used and Rotonda, Viggianello and Terranova del Pollino , which instead use beech.
– Cutting of the ‘Ndenna (usually on 2 June)
some men from the area arrive with their tractors in Bosco Favino, at the foot of Mount Alpi, in the Pollino National Park. Once here, having identified the most beautiful beech tree among the others, it collapses, cut by chainsaws.
– Taglio della Cunocchia (between the first and third Sunday of June)
chosen and cut between songs, dances and lavish lunches, on Mount Armizzone. On the occasion of the ‘ndenna e la cunocchia of Castelsaraceno, lots are drawn as to who will have the honor of carrying the bride and groom to the presence of the Saint.
– Patronal Feast of ‘Ndenna and raising (between the second and third Sunday of June)
in the small square of Sant’Antonio, the sacred and the profane merge in the magic of faith and, through tiring and fascinating maneuvers, the foliage is placed on the upper part of the beech tree. Upright, the ‘ndenna rises like a giant emerging from the earth.
WHEN
This event generally takes place every year in June
Event Type: Free
For information, dates and events, visit the site indicated at the end of the article
The reported events may be subject to changes or cancellations.
It is always advisable to inquire in advance to confirm the event and the dates
Festa della ‘Ndenna
Castelsaraceno (Potenza)
Basilicata – Italy