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During
many feasts held in the Molise to celebrate the Nativity bonfires of
differing shapes are lit on Christmas Eve. Two fire-burning rites in
particular of the Molise Christmas are famous: the faglia of
Oratino and the ’ndocciata of Agnone.
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Oratino |
The
faglia of Oratino (probably from the Latin facula =
small torch) is an enormous “candle” made from hundreds of canes
bundled together. The faglia is about twelve metres high and is
paraded round the town and, as evening falls, is raised up in front of
the bell tower of the Chiesa Madre, and then set afire.
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Agnone |
The
’ndocciata of Agnone consisting of a parade of numerous ’ndocce
(=torches), which are multiple torches with a
characteristic fan-like shape. The rite in Agnone takes place as
twilight falls on 24th December and ends with an enormous
bonfire called “of brotherhood”.
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Acquaviva
Collecroce |
At
Acquaviva Collecroce, on Christmas Eve the people burn the Smrk,
a large torch formed from small sticks of wood, packed into a sort of
cage that has as its base an upturned tree trunk, fashioned in such a
way that the branches forms its feet. Carried onto the square in front
of the parish church, it is lit as the church services are about to
commence.
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Pietracupa |
At
Bagnoli del Trigno and Pietracupa it is the tradition to make
large ‘Ndocce which consist of a wooden stick around which
stubble is wrapped. These torches are placed in front of the houses and
burn all through the night.
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