Rocc11

ROCCAMORICE

(Pg. 11)

La Rocca Pg. 13 (San Donato Church)
La Rocca Pg. 14 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 15 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 16 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 17 (places to stay / eat)
La Rocca Pg. 18 (Asphalt Mines)
La Rocca Pg. 19 (Asphalt Mines)
La Rocca Pg. 20 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 21 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 22 (people / places)
La Rocca pg. 23 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 24 (people / places)

La Rocca Pg. 1 (history/photos)
La Rocca Pg. 2 (Santo Spirito)
La Rocca Pg. 3 (San Bartolomeo)
La Rocca Pg. 4 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 5 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 6 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 7 (festa)
La Rocca Pg. 8 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 9 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 10 ("Lu Sand'Andune")
La Rocca Pg. 11 (La Rocca's Sand'Andune)
La Rocca Pg. 12 (Don Donato Bianco)

LU SAND'ANDUNE IN LA ROCCA

Among the most characteristic rituals of Sant' Antonio Abate's feast day is the "orazione" or "representazione" of the Temptation of Sant'Antonio, which has medieval origins. The representazione recounts the events of Sant' Antonio's life and to this day is skillfully performed in many Pescarese towns, and especially in Roccamorice. Since the festa takes place in the winter when all the work in the fields is done, the men, young and old alike, are free to organize into little companies (compagnie) that go around to the houses of neighbours, friends and relatives and even to local bars, where they recite, sing and act out again and again the victorious battle of Sant' Antonio against the wicked demons who continually tempted him. The performance has a humorous tone and causes much laughter.

In exchange for their exhibition the performers are given the ritual offering of sausage, eggs and dried figs, which is consumed during a festive dinner at the conclusion of the festa.

Statue of Sant' Antonio in S. Donato Church in La Rocca.

The following pictures were taken in Roccamorice in 1989 during one of the "orazione" at a local bar.

The group performing the representazione is headed by the Saint--with a long white beard, dressed in a gray habit and holding a staff with a bell of a begging pilgrim. He may also wear a tunic with a T-shaped cross on it which designates his age and authority and is also worn by the Knights of Saint Anthony. He carries a book to show his devotion to scriptures.

Two eremeti (hermits), who are his disciples, dress in shepherd's cloaks and packs or in the traditional monk's habit.

An angel wears a white tunic and wings and a cone-shaped hat. He symbolizes heavenly help and during the performance gives the Saint a sword with which to slay the demons.

Sand'Andune being tempted by a donzella

Red devil attacking Sand' Andune.

Antonio Addario as a devil tempting the Saint.

Sand' Andune vanquishing the devil with his sword.

Tommaso Conte dressed as a red devil.

Sand'Andune overcoming one of the devils.

A donzella ( maiden or damsel) appears, who is a devil dressed as a woman to tempt the Saint's chastity, and another two (or more) devils, one black and one red, are all defeated by the Saint.

Some of the costumes are quite innovative, for example the devil's horns are sometimes made from dried pepperoni sausage painted red or sometimes using the actual horns of a goat or sheep. Their faces are made up--the angel's face is dusted with flour and the devil's faces are dusted with soot.

Agostino D'Urbano playing an organetto.

The whole compagnie together in the finale.

The orazione is accompanied by music, usually a saltarella played on a "dubotte" which is an organetto or small accordian.

La Rocca Pg. 10

La Rocca Pg. 12