Page 9 - Italian-American Herald - December 2024

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
DECEMBER 2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 9
TRADITIONS
Music played by zampognari is another
custom which existed prior to the offi cial
creation of Christmas. On the 8th of
December, when Italy offi cially gets ready
for Christmas, people in many parts of
the country will be eagerly awaiting the
appearance of the zampognari or bagpipe
players. These men were originally shepherds
who came down from the hills at Christmas
to celebrate with their families and entertain
people at various shrines. Today they are
often men who work in cities but whose
families have a zampognaro tradition. One
can still enjoy this ancient musical custom,
particularly in the North, but also in Rome
and the mountains in Abruzzo and Molise.
These customs, from ancient Rome
through the late 1800s, have infl uenced the
celebrations we hold dear today. Christmas
has become very commercialized but that
can’t change the faith, joy, and treasured
traditions many of us still cherish from our
earliest memories.
A blessed Christmas to all. Un Santo
Natale a tutti. IAH
**From Oxford Dictionaries.
La Befana” by James Lewicki, from "The Golden Book of Christmas Tales" 1956.
Driven by the Best
Proudly presented by the Giacchino family!
The Carman Auto Group
Celebrating our 51st year! Celebrating our 51st year!www.carmanautogroup.com
CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 302-323-1666 | FORD 302-323-2300 | LINCOLN 302-324-4400 | FIAT ALFA ROMEO 302-323-1666