A Màschira
Cattafese Carnival
The Associazione Culturale Danze e Musiche Popolari A Màschira (Cultural Association of Popular Dances and Music A Màschira) promotes and disseminates the centuries-old popular tradition of the Cattafi hamlet of San Filippo del Mela: the Cattafese Carnival and its typical figure of the Scacciuni.
A Màschira, a re-enactment of the expulsion of a horde of Saracen pirates by the ancient inhabitants of the old village of Cattafi. During the Cattafi Carnival, various typical masks parade and a real festive atmosphere is created among typical songs and dances, such as the Tarantella.
Carnival Figures
Gli Scacciùni
The Scacciùni are the most emblematic and mysterious figures of carnival. Legendary and mythical characters, they materialise on carnival day, always in odd numbers. With precise choreography, they dance to the dizzying rhythm of the tarantella, brandishing their ‘nèrbi’ to protect the ‘Fioraia’ and the entire Màschira, making it inaccessible to anyone.
La Fioraia
The Fioraia is the core of the Màschira, a symbol of youth, beauty and femininity. During the parade, she is escorted by the Capuscacciùni, the only one authorised to dance in pairs with her, and surrounded by the other Scacciùni, who revolve around her as a sign of protection. She is distinguished by the basket of violets she carries on her arm and distributes to the audience at the command of the Capumàschira: ‘Fioraia! Do your duty!!!'. To receive one of her flowers is a great honour.
Il Capumàschira
Il Capumàschira è il “màstru ì ballu”, responsabile della contradanza e in costante contatto con la Prima Coppia e il Maièstru, capo dei musicanti. La Prima Coppia ha un ruolo centrale, poiché dà avvio alle coreografie.
The Capumàschira is the ‘màstru ì ballu’, responsible for the contradanza and in constant contact with the Prima Coppia and the Maièstru, head of the musicians. The Prima Coppia has a central role, as it initiates the choreography.
During the parade stops, known as ‘I Fimmàti’, the participants are invited to the libation table by the residents. At the end, the Capumàschira, with the Maièstru, takes command of the parade with the cry: ‘From the First Couple....a passeggiu!
I Musicanti
I Musicanti bring the frenetic rhythm of the dance to life with instruments such as guitar, mandolin, accordion, tambourine and reed friscalèttu. They follow the instructions of the Maièstru, keeping the energy of the dance very high.
Dàmi e Cavalèri
La Dàma: played by men in disguise (like the Flower Girl), she does not wear masks but shows a ‘clean face’. She wears satin or fine fabrics, multi-coloured shawls and a handkerchief on her head. The Cavalèri: he wears a dark suit, black hat, white shirt and tie, a traditional festive attire. An experienced figure, he leads the dame following the choreography.
Figure comiche
•The Buffùna: they improvise comedy sketches and jokes to entertain the public. •The Spazzìni: they precede the Màschira, sweeping the places where they dance. The protagonists of small scenes, they prepare the ground for choreographies, such as ‘a Ronda. •The Ciusciacanìgghia: poachers of coriander, they shoot ‘canìgghia’ (animal feed) with modified rifles, targeting the public with daring manoeuvres.
I Fìmmini
The Fìmmini are young village girls wearing costumes adorned with coloured ribbons that recall the style of the Scacciùni. The group, founded in the 1980s on the initiative of Salvatore Zullo and Mary Bianchi, adds a touch of femininity to the Màschira, performing typical Sicilian dances.
LA Màschiredda
The Màschiredda represents the future of the Màschira. Young girls and boys in peasant costumes dance to the rhythm of the tarantella, joined by the Scacciuneddi, young aspiring Scacciùni.
Corteo Storico
In recent years, the Corteo Storico has been introduced, which includes figures such as Baron Balsamo of Camastrà, the Baroness and a group of peasants. This element enriches tradition with a historical touch.
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Cattafi
Hamlet of the Municipality of San Filippo del Mela
It rises on a hill about 120 m above sea level. Numerous are the ancient peasant and popular traditions, the heritage of the citizens of Cattafi, still handed down today and intensely experienced by the entire community. Particularly renowned is the Cattafese Carnival, during which the typical mask of Scacciuni flaunts its austerity and all its vivacity.
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