On the night between 31 December and 1 January, Gambatesa comes alive with one of its oldest traditions: the Maitunate (or Maitunat). These are improvised stornelli carried from house to house, sung by groups of singers who, armed with organetti, bufù, tambourines and other folkloristic instruments, entertain the town with ironic poems, jokes and musical jokes aimed at both public figures and private citizens.
The youngsters enjoy a kind of 'poetic licence' during this long night: their songs can reveal little secrets or ironise on familiar situations, always with a view to play and community fun, but also to give support to those going through a difficult time.
The event starts already in the early hours of the evening of 31 December: the various teams walk through the alleys of the village, visiting houses. A collective toast is raised at midnight, after which the performances continue uninterrupted until the afternoon of 1 January, when all the teams gather in the square for a final performance judged by a jury.
The Cultural Association 'I Maitunat' keeps this tradition alive, promoting it as a cultural heritage and also involving the new generations through educational projects such as the 'School of the Maitunat' dedicated to children.
