The Sagra della spiga: August in Sicily enriched by myth and folklore

You have chosen to spend the summer in Palermo for its beaches, its atmospheres, and its culinary specialties. Now, we want to suggest you an event that will enrich your vacation. We are talking about the Sagra della spiga in Gangi, that will take place on August 13^th, Sunday.

A little legend

Near Gangi, there is Monte Alburchia. It is immediately recognizable by its impressive and austere form, which stands out on the surrounding area. According to a sort of little legend, on that mountain, once, there was a great, wonderful temple, dedicated to the Meteres, the “mother goddesses”. This hypothesis has never been historically confirmed but it’s still very fascinating.

The tradition

This legend is the origin of the Sagra della spiga (literally, “fair of the wheat”), which takes place every year on the second Sunday of August. An event that re-enacts customs and traditions of the peasant culture, mixing them with the worship of Ceres (Demeter) and Meteres.

A tradition that consists of five great moments:

• A Vanniata da Festa. A crier on a horse trots in the streets of the town centre announcing the beginning of the event.
• U Corteo du Zitu. A historical procession along the streets of the village.
• A Zuccatina da Zita. It is a comedy, in a local dialect, which narrate the ancient way in which men were asking women to marry.
• A Manciata di novi cosi. A sort of “soup” of legumes and cereals is offered to the persons.
• Il corteo di Demetra (“the cortège of Demeter”). Between sacred and profane, the real heart of the Sagra della spiga is a long re-enactment, divided into sections, which links the myth of Demeter to the peasant culture.

How to get there

Gangi is a small, picturesque town located in the metropolitan city of Palermo. To get there from the Sicilian capital city (one of the main ports for ferries to Sicily):

• Take the E90 motorway towards Messina;
• Take the A19 motorway towards south;
• Take the county road 138, the county road 11, the state highway 290 and the state highway 120;
• Follow the road signs to Gangi.

The journey by car takes about one hour and thirty minutes.

Further information

For further information about the 2017 edition of the Sagra della spiga in Gangi (complete program, tickets, any changes), you can visit the official website of Gangi municipality, Comune.gangi.pa.it.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/mcloy