The vattut’ e ll’astreche

The vattut’ e ll’astreche – U’ Punton

11138_1283761503042_5048562_nIt ‘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: the11138_1283761463041_3580794_n 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 the11138_1283803904102_4637419_n 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.