Ndocciata
ndocciata ancient christmas festival celebrated molise southern italy specifically city agnone evening december “ndocciata” agnone parade great number “‘ndocce” torch structure typical fanwise shape made silver fir pinewood pallet may one torch often multiple torch twenty fire four metre high “‘ndocce” transported different carrier dressed traditional costume big bell st anthony’s church rung group cities’ district capammonde capabballe colle sente guastra onofrio san quirico consisting hundred carrier age light ndocce torch set along main street thus becomes local call “river fire” choral participation bagpiper along road village group compete order biggest beautiful “‘ndocce” procession end bonfire called “bonfire brotherhood” plebiscite square nativity scene displayed root festival precede christian roman era time samnite tribe samnite using ndocce source light strategic tribal shift occurred night tradition since passed farmer noted th century sought illuminate path various district took reach many church town christmas night witness nativity different tradition reflected ndocciata year example wind blew north bonfire expected good year medieval time roaring fire torch helped overcome witch another ndocciata tradition recall boy occasion tried make good impression eye town girl competing tried create beautiful compact order make last longer ndocce end parade ndoccia brought window girl pinned hope looked meant appreciated gesture adversely bucket water extinguished torch ardour youth public square bonfire lighting meant people meet say goodbye anything negative symbolically burned fire end parade nativity displayed symbolizing christmas renewal new year ndocce large torch made silver fir pine white bundle dried broom held together twine torch three four metre high sometimes joined horizontal pole form group reach twenty torch arranged shape fan carrier wear black complemented hood hat derived ancient garment oscan samnite tribe tacit form humility