Carnival in Sicily has many faces according to the area where it’s celebrated, even though there are some common characteristics. History is surely common, as well as some important masks that represent this region.
In this article you will find everything you need to know about Carnival in Sicily.

History of Carnival in Sicily

Initially, Carnival used to last from Epiphany till the beginning of Lent. The word Carnevale (italian for Carnival”) comes from the Latin phrase “Carnem Levare”, referring to the meat ban that the Church used to enact during Lent. The first documents regarding Carnival in Sicily were discovered in Palermo and they date back to the XVII century. Later, during the XVIII century, Palermo’s Carnival lived its golden age, hosting opulent feasts. Among the most loved rituals, there were some particular dances, such as “danza degli schiavi” and “balla-virticchi”. Carnival was obviously spread all over Sicily, but at that time it started to become more variegated according to the area.

The typical masks of Sicilian Carnival

There are many Carnival masks in Sicily, some of them are more famous in Catania, such as “i briganti” and “cavallaciu”, others are more famous in Palermo, such as “Jardinara” and “varca”. The most famous mask all over Sicily is Peppe Nappa, which is one of the oldest masks together with Pulcinella and Arlecchino. Peppe Nappa is a servant that wants to be clever, but he’s also very lazy. He is dressed with colorful clothes, even though they have a poor connotation. During many Sicilian celebrations, Peppe Nappa gives out wine and sausages.

Sciacca and Acireale: the most famous Sicilian Carnivals

The Carnival of Sciacca has become one of the most awaited celebrations in Sicily, thanks to the opulence of the wagons and the attention to details. The celebration started in 1800, and initially it was just an excuse to drink more wine and eat more maccheroni, but during the centuries many figures have taken part to the making of the wagons, such as architects, engineers, and painters, so that the Carnival of Sciacca finally assumed its current shape.

Also the Carnival of Acireale is one of the most loved. It dates back to the XVII century, as it developed contemporarily to the celebration of the Patron saint of the city, Saint Sebastian. It all started with food and games, and then it became the big event that is hosted nowadays in the city of Sciacca.

Traditional carnival food in Sicily

It’s obvious that Sicily has traditional food on the occasion of Carnival. On Sicilian tables, you will find some common Italian dishes such as lasagna, but you can also find traditional Sicilian ones, such as “coniglio alla stimpirata” and pork breaded chops. But Sicilian cuisine expresses at its best with desserts, which are the highlight of the menu. Among the most famous ones there’s “castagnole al forno con la crema di limoncello” (little sweets with limoncello cream), chiacchiere with marsala liquor and, of course, cannoli.

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13 Gennaio 2021