Singing of the Maitinate

A popular good-luck song that takes place in the streets of the village on 31 December each year.

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 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.

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