Molise
The wedding in Molise
There are many traditions of a wedding in Molise.
In Molise, marriage represents one of the most significant moments in the lives of lovers. The wedding follows a complex and articulated system of rites, customs and popular traditions that involve the entire community: a real celebration.
It was customary to celebrate weddings in the months of May and October, periods considered auspicious.
The celebrations were characterized by celebrations that lasted several days, with banquets full of typical dishes such as “maccherone alla Molise” and “cod arracanato”. During the ceremony and celebrations, traditional songs and dances were performed, such as the “serenade” the evening before the wedding, in which the groom sang under the bride’s window, accompanied by friends and family.
Molise customs
The mother greeted the bride at the door of the house with a linen handkerchief, to dry her tears as she bid farewell to her beloved daughter.
On the wedding day, the wedding procession started from the bride’s house and headed towards the church, accompanied by traditional songs and music. After the ceremony, the wedding lunch was held at the bride’s home, with tables laden with Molise specialties such as cavatelli, lamb and pampanella.
At the end of the lunch, the bride could not immediately follow the groom to their new home, but remained in her own home for another seven days, until the day of the “recovery” (success). After recovery, the bride was welcomed into her in-laws’ house, where a new lunch took place. The spouses, finally together, received gifts from relatives and began their life as spouses.
The wedding ceremony
The wedding ceremony took place with great simplicity and was characterized by superstitious and propitiatory rites.
Upon leaving the church, as a sign of good omen, wealth and prosperity, the newlyweds were celebrated with the throwing of wheat and confetti.
During the procession that led them to the bride’s house for lunch, there was the custom of “passing the bush” or “ribbon cutting”: a ribbon was placed in front of the new couple who had to cut it before they could move on, symbol of entry into new married life.
This ritual represented the transition from single life to married life, marking the beginning of a new adventure together, always accompanied by the festive and warm participation of the entire community.
Our selection
Villages in evidence
