Sicilians have a profound appreciation for the delicate boundary between the living and the dead. November 2 is All Souls Day, better known as the Day of the Dead (Il Giorno dei Morti in Italian or in Sicilian, Un juornu re muorti). Traditionally, this feast, which follows All Saints Day, is spent recognizing one’s relatives…
Tag: pupaccene
Pupaccene For The Day Of The Dead in Sicily
Orlando and Rolando, our heroes from the opera dei pupi theater, make an appearance off-stage, today, for the Day of the Dead, known in Sicilian as, un juornu re muorti; yet this time, as sugar dolls, or pupaccene, pictured. Pupaccene, which today are only made by a handful of artisans in Sicily, are traditionally produced…
All Souls and Sugar Dolls
In Sicily, the beginning of November marks the end of good weather, when few crops and plants are growing. As a result, we have Il Giorno dei Morti, or in Sicilian, Un juornu re muorti–The Day of the Dead. Marking the end of the agricultural year, the holiday is a celebration of the dead by…