Customs Val Gardena (Italy)

Tradition and customs

There is no reason why nostalgia should be the automatic response to times gone by. Life was hard, and privation was the rule. But there was variety, too, with an annual calendar – indeed the whole life – made up of a succession of mostly rustic customs and celebrations. New Year’s wishes, Shrovetide and Easter customs, the processions of decorated cattle brought down from the mountains before the winter, and much else besides gave a special character and spirit to everyday life and holidays alike.

Today Advent is the traditional time for processions, for St. Nicholas ("San Miculau") and the "tléca nocht". Those are the Thursday evenings when youngsters in disguise go from house to house, playing their music and singing the old songs and receiving little gifts in return.

The New Year, too, is a time for music, and the children and youngsters come round singing the traditional song:

„Bon dì, bon ann! Di liegher y san!
Cun grazia y fertuna dut l tëmp de l ann.
Cun grazia y sanità y cun mancul piciá
la bela y bona man a mi!"