Man Deer, the rebirth of spring

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The rebirth of spring through a meaningful ritual

The dark, the cold, the wind blowing through trees and houses and a terrifying cry that gets closer and closer. On the last Sunday of carnival, one of the most characteristic, special and heartfelt rituals is staged in Castelnuovo al Volturno, a hamlet of Rocchetta a Volturno: the Deer Man.

The rebirth of spring occurs through a transformation, from the enraged beast to its opposite, docile and tame.

After sunset, as soon as the last lights of the sun fade, the only town square, packed with people, awaits the unfolding of an event strong in meaning and execution.

The representation of the Deer Man

The gloomy and silent atmosphere of the winter evening is ripped open by the tinkling of cowbells. The Janare, the witches, arrive, accompanied by Maone. Together they perform a dance around a fire announcing the ritual that is about to take place. Then, all of a sudden, there he is. He can already be glimpsed in the crowd. The Stag arrives, creating disorder and disarray. He is followed by the doe, no less mighty and enraged.

Deer representwinter, their raids the rigidity of its months. Who can calm them down? Only Mago Martino, at first, representing Good. He appears as a magician and he is accompanied by a local lady who, despite offering food to the chained beasts, is attacked with the deer even managing to free themselves.

Calm is restored by the Hunter, only he can stop the destruction once and for all. The animals slump to the ground after his shots, but soon after, approaching the Deer and blowing into their ears, he returns them to the tranquility of the Springs.