On November 2nd, in Italy, the Day of the Dead is celebrated, to remember and honor the deceased, a tradition deeply rooted in local customs. On this day, but also on the days preceding it, we go to the cemetery to visit our loved ones, bringing flowers, plants and candles. In this article, we will explore the different practices and traditions of commemoration that can be found in the various regions of the country.
Regional traditions
In Lombardia, the eve of November 2nd is characterized by a significant gesture: many families place a vase of fresh water in the kitchen, a symbol of welcome for the dead. On the contrary, in Friuli, it is customary to leave a lit candle together with a bucket of water and a little bread, thus offering a meal to the deceased.
In Trentino, tradition dictates that bells ring to call the souls. Families prepare a table and light the fireplace to welcome their deceased loved ones. Similar customs are also followed in Piedmont and Val d'Aosta. In Liguria, dried “fava beans” (called bacilli) and boiled chestnuts (known as balletti) are prepared to refresh the deceased. In Umbria, a typical dessert is “stinchetti dei morti”, sweets in the shape of fava beans, while in Abruzzo a table is set and candles are lit in the window for each loved soul. In the past, it was also traditional to carve pumpkins and use them as lanterns.
Once upon a time, on the night of November 1st, children wandered from house to house, similar to what happens during Halloween, to receive the “good of the dead”: broad beans, chestnuts and dried figs. Grandparents, after prayers, entertained the little ones with scary stories and legends.
“Sugar Puppets” and “Dead Men’s Bones”
In Rome, on November 2nd, tradition dictated eating next to the tomb of a deceased person to keep them company. In Sicily, however, the holiday is dedicated to children. If they have behaved well, they will find special sweets in the morning, such as “pupi di zucchero”, hidden under the bed. Sicilian specialties also extend to scardellini, which are shaped like bones, and frutta martorana, artistically prepared sweets with almond paste.
The windows of pastry shops become true works of art that attract everyone's attention. In Sardinia, children venture into the houses to ask for offerings for the dead, receiving bread, sweets and dried fruit. Traditions also vary in Veneto, where a bag of "Ossi dei morti" is offered to the bride-to-be, an affectionate and symbolic gesture.
The customs of the feast of the dead in Italy not only reveal a deep connection with the memory of the deceased, but also show how diverse and rich the culinary and cultural traditions are throughout the country. Each region celebrates in its own unique way, keeping alive the memory and the bond with loved ones, demonstrating that, despite death, love and memory continue to live on.
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