Annual "Carnival of Bagolino" in Val Sabbia - Part 2

Il Carnevale di Bagolino 

Translated from the video description:

The Carnival of Bagolino is a rare and precious survival of local folklore. The carnival has existed in this village from 1500 due to the isolated location and the passion of its people who handed it down from generation to generation. It gained growing notoriety, attracting the attention of scholars of ethnology. The Festival is divided into two distinct events, animated by elegant figures of Balarì (dancers and musicians) and the grotesque figures of Maschér (masks). 

This video is a documentary, and it shows more of the beauty of the village location in the Sabbia Valley. There are numerous other videos of the carnival. The festival seems to be a blend of both folk pagan and Christian elements. It seems appears to be disciplined as far as the symbolism it seeks to convey; as opposed to more urban festivals where people go out of their way to be bizarre... and perhaps miss the point. Part of the origin goes back to ancient fertility rites, and with this carnival occurring at the at the end of Winter.

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Annual "Carnival of Bagolino" in Val Sabbia - Part 1

The dancers and masks of the traditional Carnival of Bagolino

By Claudia Moreschi - http://www.italianstorytellers.com/ - July 2, 2014

Dancers, masks and weird traditions. This is Bagolino Carnival!

Bagolino is a small village in Sabbia Valley, in the province of Brescia, on the border with Trentino Alto Adige. It is in the dairy production area of the local “Bagòss” cheese and is famous for its peculiar Carnival celebrations that date back to the XVI century, as documented by the writings preserved in the municipal archive.

Because of the isolated position of the village, the Carnival of Bagolino (also called ‘Bagosso‘ carnival) has preserved its historic characteristics during the years. Due to its particular folklore it has become increasingly renown drawing also the attention of scholar ethnologists. The Carnival of Bagolino has been ranked among the most important ethnological discoveries of the past 200 years.

The celebrations of the Bagolino Carnival are made up of 2 different performances, led by:

* the ‘Balarì‘, elegant dressed dancers and players

* the grotesque ‘Maschér‘ (masks).

The musical origins of the ‘Bagosso Carnival’ are yet to be discovered. Probably its music reportory roots in Continental Europe: according to scholars, it inherited the practice of instrumental musicians from Austrian Tyrol.

The movements of the dancers mime the ancient court dances, revisited and voiced in their own way by the Bagolino inhabitants.

The Balarì

‘Balarì‘, the dancers, perform only on the Monday and Tuesday of Carnival along the streets and in the squares of Bagolino. Their show is the most spectacular of all the Bagolino Carnival because of their peculiar music and refined dance. A unique event in Italy with only few equivalents in Europe. It provides a striking example of the level of complexity which a folk musical culture can reach.

Violin is the main instrument that gives the leading melody of the various songs that make up the large music repertory that accompanies the dances.

The dancers’ costumes are very characteristic. They wear a felt hat entirely covered by a long red ribbon cleverly folded, adorned with embroidery, jewelry and multicolored ribbons that make up a large bow. On the red band there are family (or borrowed) gold jewels (chains, brooches, earrings, rings etc.). That’s why they don’t peform their dance outdoors in case it rains : there is the risk of losing the gold!

The dancers’ face is hidden by an ivory mask and they wear a dark suit with jacket and pants to the knees, dark tie, white shirt, white gloves, white decorated socks and black shoes. On their shoulders they wear a large shawl with fringes falling down on their back and a wide silk stripe over their left shoulder with flower embroidery or lace inserts.


The Maschér

The tradition of the ‘Maschér‘ – the masks – has a more popular origin referring to the Carnival jokes. Identity is kept unknown.

The masks disordely move among the crowd wearing grotesque or frightening masks and wooden clogs that makes noise on the street pavement. They mock people by touching their genitals, an old habit reminiscent of ancient fertility rituals. Tradition has it that in ancient times the jokes had as polemical target the Counts of Lodrons, often hated by the Bagolino inhabitants.

The masks wear ancient traditional dresses; they usually move in pairs dressed disguised as old woman (‘vecia‘) and old man (‘vecio‘). In addition they move with an awkward posture, stomping and with a falsetto voice.

The maschér ritual is infused with symbolism and many gestures related to a courtship ritual.

The Carnival of Bagolino takes place every year on Sunday, Monday and Mardi Gras. This year will be on March from the 2nd to the 4th 2014.

Participation is free and recommended to anyone who doesn’t want to miss such an extraordinary and unique Carnival!

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Badalisc: Camunian folklore - Part II

'Baldalisc' from ILoveIndia.com

Badalisc, a popular Christmas character from Italy, came into existence in the 16th century and became very famous. Scroll further for more information on this Italian Christmas character.


Badalisc

Have you ever heard about character of Christmas, Badalisc? Considered to be a mythological character whose origins lie in Val Camonica, Italy, Badalisc belongs to the southern central Alps. This scamp is believed to have a very unusual appearance with a big head, two horns, a gigantic mouth and bright shining eyes. It is said to wear goat skin to cover his entire body. During Christmas, while the annual town festival is being held, the person dressed like Badalisc is seized and brought to the town.

Towards the end of the festival, the creature is released and people eagerly wait for the ceremony next year. Though Badalisc reveals the gossips of the community and annoys everyone, its main aim is to prevent people from performing bad deeds. This ritual is quite similar to that of Bosinada, Bosinade or Businade, which is a satirical performance of a prose, song or poetry. Right from the 16th century, this ritual has been performed throughout northern Italy.


Badalisc - Legends and Myths

* Badalisc, also known as 'Badalisk', is a mythological character found in the southern central Alps. He is said to hail from Val Camonica and, today, it is characterized as a creature with an enormous head, shining eyes and a huge mouth; it dresses up in goat skin.

* According to the legend, this animal, which lives in the woods of Andrista, is captured by the villagers during Ephiphany, i.e. January 5 and 6. Badalisc is then tied with a rope and dragged into the village, accompanied by musicians and various masked characters. These characters include 'il giovane' (the young man), 'la vecchia' (the old woman), 'il vecchio' (the old man) along with the young signorina, who is "bait" for the animal's hunger.

* Some bearded shepherds also follow the crowd. And while some witches beat drums, a hunchback involves in a rustic duel with the creature. According to the tradition, only men take part in this ritual although some of them are dressed as women. This is because during the early times, women were forbidden from participating in any exhibitions and were not allowed to either see or hear the Badalisc's speech. Women who did hear the speech or took part in the "seize" were denied permission to attend the Holy Communion, which was held the following day.

* Badalisc's speech includes gossips about the community and is now interpreted in rhymes. Its speech is believed to reveal all the sins and the shrewdness of the community and the hunchback bangs his stick rhythmically in regular intervals during the speech.

* Followed by the speech, there is singing, dancing and feasting during which the community enjoys Badalisc polenta, a special curd sausage which is the traditional dish of the village. Until recent times, the village children used to from house to house, begging for money to get cornmeal for the polenta. During the feast, Badalisc enjoys a special place of honor.

* Towards the end of the exhibition, on the second day, Badalisc is freed and allowed to go back to the woods.

So, everybody, be careful and stay away from intentionally indulging in an ill-deed or else, you would hear Badalisc blurt it before the entire community.

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