Spring
by Marcello Cua
by Marcello Cua
The almond tree, with its white blossoms dusted in soft pale rose announces the coming of Spring to the countryside around the many small
villages of the Sila foot hills in Calabria. This occurs during the first two weeks of February. Along with, or immediately following the blossom of
the heather.
This noble shrub that presents its delicate blossoms nearly imperceptibly, is the first food of the bees who will suck the delicious nectar briskly!
The root of the heather is still the primary source of the `Zommari', or pipe makers today. The Zommari' search out the briar-root of the heather
and after cleaning them they are sold to small pipe making factories. While throughout the world, the Italian crafted pipes are much admired,
few know that many of these pipes are carved from the Calabrian briar-root.
February is still cold in this region and occasionally snow covers the bloom of the heather and almond trees. Before month end, the meadows,
slopes of mountains and valleys, are covered with primroses and violets.
March brings the peach with its delicate flower buds, and April the cherry and its white blossoms, while all the trees dress in small green
leaves.
May is the peak of spring blossoms and festival colors. The intense smells of the swirling thyme, the acacia, the hawthorn, the orange flowers,
the wild rose and the wild pear tree will diffuse into the air. …And what of the humble oregano plant that grows in the sunniest areas, that is,
nearly everywhere, and it is the delight of children and adults who compete to see who can collect the most!
The oregano will be the main ingredient for the famous tomato and onion salad or to be used for bruschetta along with olive oil, garlic and
tomatoes.
Until a few years ago, the boys of the villages collected bunches of oregano, then they stood along the main roads and sold them to the
motorists.
May is also the month of the Madonna and the black ginestra. Long ago, the black ginestra (not to be confused with American ginestra which
also grows in the same areas, while similar to the indigenous, has an unpleasant odor) was used as a raw material derived from its very
resistant fiber.
During the procession the women love to show off the precious weaving not only to pay homage to God as he `passes' under house, but also
on occasion to compete with the neighbors, igniting a dialogue on the superiority of true Damascus for respecting the “beloved'….and all in
the name of God.
The procession is also the occasion, for the men, to walk prominently along chatting with one another and all they pass.
Easter is surely the most solemn of Spring festivities. It is celebrated, on Holy Friday. It really was during the procession of this sacred day that
some years ago, Franco, said “just watch me (showing off)”, while he carried a heavy cross on his shoulders with difficulty and he fell to his
knees. Some onlookers' noticed and offered to help, but he devoutly raised the Cross and the Crucifix amid the smirks and commotion.
These are the contradictions of this Calabria, where often sacred and profane are given by the same hand.
Ciao!
©copyright 2008 Property of MJSturino,LLC
Any reproduction with-out the owners express written consent is strictly prohibited
villages of the Sila foot hills in Calabria. This occurs during the first two weeks of February. Along with, or immediately following the blossom of
the heather.
This noble shrub that presents its delicate blossoms nearly imperceptibly, is the first food of the bees who will suck the delicious nectar briskly!
The root of the heather is still the primary source of the `Zommari', or pipe makers today. The Zommari' search out the briar-root of the heather
and after cleaning them they are sold to small pipe making factories. While throughout the world, the Italian crafted pipes are much admired,
few know that many of these pipes are carved from the Calabrian briar-root.
February is still cold in this region and occasionally snow covers the bloom of the heather and almond trees. Before month end, the meadows,
slopes of mountains and valleys, are covered with primroses and violets.
March brings the peach with its delicate flower buds, and April the cherry and its white blossoms, while all the trees dress in small green
leaves.
May is the peak of spring blossoms and festival colors. The intense smells of the swirling thyme, the acacia, the hawthorn, the orange flowers,
the wild rose and the wild pear tree will diffuse into the air. …And what of the humble oregano plant that grows in the sunniest areas, that is,
nearly everywhere, and it is the delight of children and adults who compete to see who can collect the most!
The oregano will be the main ingredient for the famous tomato and onion salad or to be used for bruschetta along with olive oil, garlic and
tomatoes.
Until a few years ago, the boys of the villages collected bunches of oregano, then they stood along the main roads and sold them to the
motorists.
May is also the month of the Madonna and the black ginestra. Long ago, the black ginestra (not to be confused with American ginestra which
also grows in the same areas, while similar to the indigenous, has an unpleasant odor) was used as a raw material derived from its very
resistant fiber.
During the procession the women love to show off the precious weaving not only to pay homage to God as he `passes' under house, but also
on occasion to compete with the neighbors, igniting a dialogue on the superiority of true Damascus for respecting the “beloved'….and all in
the name of God.
The procession is also the occasion, for the men, to walk prominently along chatting with one another and all they pass.
Easter is surely the most solemn of Spring festivities. It is celebrated, on Holy Friday. It really was during the procession of this sacred day that
some years ago, Franco, said “just watch me (showing off)”, while he carried a heavy cross on his shoulders with difficulty and he fell to his
knees. Some onlookers' noticed and offered to help, but he devoutly raised the Cross and the Crucifix amid the smirks and commotion.
These are the contradictions of this Calabria, where often sacred and profane are given by the same hand.
Ciao!
©copyright 2008 Property of MJSturino,LLC
Any reproduction with-out the owners express written consent is strictly prohibited
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