RELIGIOUS TRADITONSRELIGIOUS TRADITONS RELIGIOUS VALUES :RELIGIOUS VALUES : MARRIAGE MARRIAGEFAMILY

THE OFFICIAL ITALIAN RELIGION IS CATHOLICISMTHE OFFICIAL ITALIAN RELIGION IS CATHOLICISM THE HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE POPETHE HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE POPE 90%LOCAL POPULATION ARE CATHOLIC90%LOCAL POPULATION ARE CATHOLIC THE RELIGIOUS MINORITIES ARE WELL ACCEPTED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITYTHE RELIGIOUS MINORITIES ARE WELL ACCEPTED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY RELIGION PLAYS A PRIMARY ROLE IN OUR LIFERELIGION PLAYS A PRIMARY ROLE IN OUR LIFE SOCIAL VALUES AND TRADITIONS ARE STRICTLY CONNECTED WITH RELIGIONSOCIAL VALUES AND TRADITIONS ARE STRICTLY CONNECTED WITH RELIGION

The religious traditions of the province of Taranto are animated by the popular fervour. The most important ones are the celebrations of Christmas, Easter and the Patron saints.

Christmas is announced by the music of the Citizens' Band,on 22 nd November, Santa Cecilia's day, the patroness of music. The most typical sweets of the celebration are pettole, sanachiutele and cartedate.

In Crispiano, in the carsick cave on 24 th and 26 th December a famous living crib is performed. There is a faithful performance of the original and ancient background that characterized the birth of Christ in Betlemme. On the Epiphany day there also is the coming of the Magi.

In Easter the Holy Week is lived with particular religious piety thanks to many processions that remind of the Passion of Our Lord.

ADDOLORATA’S PROCESSION From St. Domenico church, in the old part of the city, the procession starts walking at midnight on Holy Thursday and goes on till the day later

THE MYSTERIES PROCESSION THE MYSTERIES PROCESSION It reminds the Passion of Our Lord and starts from the church Del Carmine, on Holy Friday evening. The penitent brothers walk very slowly and wear a hood and a white tunic tightened on their waist by a heavy rosary and a cape

The most famous one is the Passio Christi in Ginosa that has three hundreds characters performing in the natural background of the Casale ravine.

They are different and various depending on the town where they take place. Generally, their background is represented by illuminations that light the main streets of the towns till late. There are fireworks and little markets along these streets where you can buy things of different genres while the Citizens' Band play popular music.

In San Marzano there is a fascinating precession of the wood that is devoted to San Giuseppe, the patron of all carpenters. The devotees participate to a procession with some wood on their shoulders in front of the statue of the saint while the children put down some gives. Once the wood has been blessed it is carried to the countryside, outside the town, where it is burnt. A very important feature of the celebration is also represented by the mattre that are long table full of home made food for devotion or blessing.

On 7 th May there is a procession on the sea in honour of San Cataldo, the patron saint of the city. The statue of the Saint is put up by a lightened boat that is followed by other smaller ones in queue. Some bonefires are lighted from the Aragonese Castle

MARRIAGEFAMILY

SYMBOLS: The wedding ring which stands for promise of eternal love and respect The white bride’s dress which stands for purity

TRADITIONS TRADITIONS The mother in law buys the wedding dress and a gold jewel for the bride It’s bad luck to see the wedding dress before the wedding day The bride should also wear a new thing, a blue thing and something given by a friend When the married couple leaves the church the guests throw some rice and sweets in the air

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY The priest celebrates the mass according to the christian ritual of the Ceremony The Church comes decorated with white flowers There are four “testimoni”chosen among the guests

RECEPTION PARTY The reception is rich in food and lasts all day Some traditional music and dances are played The bride throws her flower bouquet in the air and according to tradition,the young lady who catches it will get married within the year

The Apulian family in the past Family ties and roles were very strict The Husband was the head of the family and provided to the economical sustainance of the family The wife was responsible for the housework and looked after children The modern Apulian family Families ties are still close but roles have changed The husband still keeps the role of the family head but the wife can also work Both parents share the same responsabilities regarding children and family management