The vattut’ e ll’astreche – U’ Punton
It ‘a dance that represents coverage of some roofs of the island houses, made up some time ago, especially in Buonopane, with its characteristic dome called “carusiello” that recalls somewhat Arabic architecture. The owner, in the early morning, after preparing a mixture of lapilli and lime, a flag tied to a long pole chestnut for it to be visible at a good distance. It was used to announce the event and to rally the young robust because, for free, collaborate. It was a feast for the whole country: the farmers, pinned hoes and abandoned fields, flocked to increase the contribution of arms accustomed to hard work. At dawn came also the beaters or “puntunari”, bringing in the shoulder just stick with it was pressed by dint of blows and violent rhythmic lapilli sprayed continuously with the juice of lime. It was a huge effort for the batsmen, a never-ending carousel around the dome and the various movements were marked by clarinets and drums and meant to be caught in the vortex of a frenzied dance that needed to complete: in it, the workers gave
proudly skill and strength. A short break to eat a donut and quaffing wine, then you go back to work which continued without interruption, otherwise the result of much hard work it would not be perfect. In the evening, finally, everyone at the table: rabbit, donuts and wine in torrents, combined with jokes, songs and dances.
Text (Neapolitan dialect):
Sarturella mia
‘nnammuratella ‘e primma gioventù
tu ir’ ‘na Maria
e mò te si’ cagnata pure tu
all’angule ‘e chesta via
quanta malincunia
Sarturella mia….. Sarturella mia….
Chi ‘a cunusceva nun po’ dir di male
era ‘na bona figlia overamente
teneva ‘a mamma soia ind’ ’o spitale
vulesse fatica’ onestamente
chi a cunusceva nun po’ dir di male
nu’ ne po’ dir di male
Nun saccio ch’è succiesso a Murupano
nun saccio ch’è succiesso a Murupane
nun saccio ch’è succiesso a Murupano
nun saccio ch’è succiesso a Murupane
e nu prevuto s’ha vasato
e nu prevuto s’ha vasato
e nu prevuto s’ha vasato a ‘na ffigliola
a ‘na ffigliola.
E cu’ la scusa de la cunfessare
e cu’ la scusa de la cunfessare
E cu’ la scusa de la cunfessare
e cu’ la scusa de la cunfessare
a lu prevuto s’è ‘izato ‘u spenghelone
‘u spenghelone
Te voglio fa’ verè’ comme rindenna
te voglio fa’ verè’ comme rindenna
te voglio fa’ verè’ comme rindenna
te voglio fa’ verè’ comme rindenna
chillu campaniello ca
chillu campaniello ca
chillu campaniello ca
m’ha rato mamma
m’ha rato mamma
Corre la mamma comme ‘na janara
corre la mamma comme ‘na janara
corre la mamma comme ‘na janara
corre la mamma comme ‘na janara
Io mò te vaco accusà’
io mò te vaco accusà’
io mò te vaco accusà’
da Monsignore
da Monsignore
E Monsignore a me che me po’ fare
e Monsignore a me che me po’ fare
e Monsignore a me che me po’ fare
e Monsignore a me che me po’ fare
io me levo la suttana
io me levo la suttana
io me levo la suttana
e po’ me ‘nzoro
e po’ me ‘nzoro.