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Lu Bov Fint
ONE OF THE typical celebrations during
Offida's Carnival is "Lu Bov Fint" - the farcical hunting of the
false ox. It was originally a real animal but now is artificial.
DESPITE the industrialisation of entertainment, this
celebration hasn't changed. It is still an popular outlet
for spontaneity and creativity. "Lu Bove Fint"
occurs alongside the opening masked balls, "Fat Thursday" and
the various other celebrations, which finish when the "Vlurds"
have finished burning.
ON "Fat Friday", from early
afternoon (around 2 pm) the artificial ox races madly around the streets of the
town. It is built with an iron and wood framework covered in cloth, and is
carried by a man. A crowd of young
people and children follow the ox. Each one wears a white costume called a
"guazzarò", which was worn by local
farmers once upon a time.The people have their faces dyed black, carry a
flag and blow whistles.
ALONG the ox's journey, there are ten or fifteen special places for resting, where there are pizzas, broad beans, bread and oil, and plenty of local wine. Everything is free and abundant.
THE HUNT lasts for many hours through
the streets and squares of the historical center - to the shrill blast of
whistles and the shouts from the frenzied procession.
THE CARCASS of the ox, slaughtered in front of the Town Hall, is carried of the shoulders of fourteen people, led by a group of men called "congrega del Ciorpento" (the band of the snake) playing a motive "Farewell, my darling, farewell".
THERE ARE other groups of costumed musicians playing instruments, and the people follow, singing.
LOCAL HISTORIES tell very
little of the origins of this unusual occurence. Some say that it recreates the
ancient bull fights introduced by the Spanish during their Italian
domination in Italy. Other say, instead,
that it is representation of an ancient custom that gave meat from
the slaughtered ox to the poor on the last
day of carnival.
Bov
Fint
