Italy is a land full of ancient and characteristic rites, many of which are connected to the holiday periods, such as the Christmas one. One of the most widespread traditions in the country is that concerning the religious processions with torches, and the most famous and fascinating is that of 'Ndocciata, which sees its epicenter in Agnone, a village of less than 5.000 inhabitants in Molise.
A ritual that has its roots in the most distant history of our peninsula. In 2011 he received the important recognition of "Heritage of Italy for tradition". One of the many stages that mark the success of this ceremony. Also staged in Rome in 1996 in honor of Pope John Paul II and also in 2015 in Milan on the occasion of the Expo.
What is the 'Ndocciata
Una ancient tradition, that of the 'Ndocciata di Agnone, but also widespread in the nearby village of Civitanova del Sannio, as well as, in a slightly different form, in the Abruzzo town of Santo Stefano di Sante Marie.
The origins of the 'Ndocciata date back to the pre-Roman era, when these lands were inhabited by the famous Samnite tribe. The celebration took place concurrently with the winter solstice of December 21st, and he saw a particular role played by the primordial element of fire, which has always been full of symbolism.
The transport and use of fire in the pagan rites that later gave rise to the 'Ndocciata was possible by means of large torches. These came calls precisely 'ndocce in the local dialect. They have a fan shape and are obtained, then as now, from the wood of the silver firs that grow in the nearby wood of Montecastelbarone.
With the affirmation of Christianity in Roman and post-Roman society, the rite of the 'Ndocciata took on a new religious interpretation. After the eighteenth century it was passed on to peasants, who used torches to get around towards the churches on Christmas night. From here comes the traditional procession with the 'ndocce as a typical event of the Christmas period.
When the 'Ndocciata
Today, the popular rite of the 'Ndocciata usually takes place on two dates a year. In particular at dusk of 8 and 24 December in the villages of Agnone and Civitanova del Sannio, in the province of Isernia. The event consists of a procession through the streets of the village with large lit torches. Some are single, while others can have up to 20 burners. A ritual that involves practically the entire population.
The inhabitants of the 'Ndocciata deal directly with five different districts by Agnone. They cross the country with theirs 'ndocce until it converges in Piazza del Plebiscito. At this point the torches are thrown into the Bonfire of the Brotherhood, starting the celebrations of the community. There were three extraordinary manifestations of the 'Ndocciata:
- Rome - 1996
- Assisi - 2011
- Milan - 2015
In Rome on December 8, 1996 the "Ndocciata di Agnone" was held in St. Peter's Square. It was offered to the Holy Father John Paul II on the occasion of the anniversary of his fiftieth year of priesthood. In Assisi the rite took place for the "Molise Assisi 2011" event on 3 and 4 October 2011 and became the protagonist in the churchyard of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Finally, on 26 September 2015 in the port of Milan the 'Ndocciata with five hundred torches was staged. They were transported by 135 ndocciatori and illuminated the night of the Darsena and the Naviglio.
