Details

Latitude

44.0184

Longitude

10.4497

Start Date

1994-01-05

End Date

1994-01-05

3 minutes of sign subtitling of news, TG4, 2/1/94, then "Befanate" 5/1/94. The Befanate (Epiphany begging songs) were from 5 different places in the lower Garfagnana: Eglio, Montaltissimo, Gallicano, Molazzana, and Sassi. I was taken around by Gastone Venturelli (academic authority on Maggio and Tuscan popular traditions). The video was impossible - lots of people in narrow streets, hardly any light, but I recorded mainly for the audio. 1. Eglio - (Venturelli's home town) they sang a different verse for each house, plus standard begging and thanks songs). We visited several houses - accompanied by accordion. Corin Bone took photos [turned out badly so not archived]. 2. Montaltissimo - 2 places (had donkey, Befana was man in drag making obscene jokes) melody slightly different from Eglio - mostly young kids singing, no accompaniment 3. Gallicano - very different text and melody - northern style with harmonies - very good singing - cart with candles - guitar accompaniment. Gallicano is not strictly speaking in the Garfagnana, nor is Molazzana. 4. Molazzana - in minor key, with accordion - ritorello in major key. Venturelli says ritornello recently learnt. 5. Sassi - very similar to Eglio, but repeat last 2 lines instead of first line of text, ABCDCD not ABCDA. Eglio and Sassi are located very close together to the point where they are counted as a single locality, nevertheless there is a significant difference.

Sources