Everyone knows about Siena's famous 90 second horse race, the Palio. Who has been to Siena? Who has seen the Palio raced? There are 17 contrade or districts in Siena, and all of them have their own flags, symbols, saints, churches and organizations. Like in the Vespers Trilogy, where the de Rogerios live in the Porta Patitellorum, one of Palermo's five districts, the Palio encompasses a fierce rivalry between the districts every August.
For the best source on this wild race, check out www.thepalio.com
As in medieval times, each contrade has its own organization. It reminds me very much of my hometown, Chicago, whose wards and districts were under the supervision of an alderman. The alderman knew every household, every street, and everything that went on in his district. Italian contrade and Chicago wards function in exactly the same way - mutual aid society and social club. Each contrade has its own church - all wards and districts have their own churches in Chicago. When my mother was growing up, she would give directions by saying, go to such and such a parish. If you were Methodist or Baptist, you were bewildered and SOL!
No comments:
Post a Comment