Wednesday 3 January 2018

Sing the night away

A  unique celebration in Gambatesa



I decided to something really different for NEW YEAR as it is my favourite night of the year, and I like to celebrate by doing something different every year.

This year having done some research I discovered .........................................

The Maitunat, a rather unusual name for the most amazing night of celebration.


I  met up with an amazing group of people who sang their hearts out all night and made me very welcome

Just once a year the ancient hilltop village of Gambatesa in Molise celebrates in a very unique and unusual way. Following an old tradition now more than three hundred years.

  The village hosts a night of music, humour and laughter............


Before the sunset on the last day of the year groups of local people gather to start and play music which begins to drift around the usually quiet streets. 

The MAITUNAT is an ancient rite. The songs called STORNLE begin after dinner on the 31st until long into the day of the first.

A STORNLE a song in rhyme which allows the singer to poke fun at their neighbours and others in the village, even the local mayor is a target. The opportunity to do this is only allowed at New Year.
 The musicians and singers wander around the village in groups accordions, drums, guitars, and even flutes, violins and saxophones.

Each singer has his style and it is certainly an art to create this type of music, which is really a type of satirical poetry and quite unique.


Eating and drinking is part of the event too, and at each house, the musicians are offered well-laden tables with cake, biscuits, wine, pizza and a range of other delights.


The festivities on New Years Eve last all night until breakfast in the morning,


I did not manage to survive until afternoon on New Years Day when the music starts again. 


The music starts again then and the groups have a competition between each other







Guitars and violins
Trumpets and French Horns
Tambourines and Drums
Bugles raising the roof
Party time at Midnight
Celebrating in style


Some local handmade instruments

Fun for all ages .. quite a night
Fireworks herald the morning of 2018
Singing the night away
Bang the drum and greet the New Year
Food laden tables
Brass bands
A night I will never forget
Happy New Year from Gambatesa
A BIG THANK EVERYONE 

Sing the night away

A  unique celebration in Gambatesa I decided to something really different for NEW YEAR as it is my favourite night of the y...