The Tresca

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Wheat threshing as a tradition

The “Tresca” of Carovilli is a major event of culture and tradition of activities held on August 17 and 18 in the locality of San Domenico at the church of the same name located on the sheep-track.

The tresca is the threshing of grain done with horses, as was once done, and is the final part of something that anciently began many months earlier when grain was sown.

Once it reached maturity, the sheaves were harvested and formed and finally the tresca when the sheaves were loosened and spread on the well-cleaned threshing floor. Later horses were walked to separate the straw from the grain. With the help of forks, everything was lifted so that the wind could carry the straw far away and only the grain remained on the ground, which was finally collected, sifted and auctioned off, the proceeds of which were offered to Our Lady.

This whole series of operations required the work of many people several times during the year.

Today the most fond and present at this event are the elderly people who remember the times when, on that very toil, the modest standard of living of the whole family depended. However, there is also no shortage of young people who are becoming attached to this tradition and strongly desire to prevent it from dying as has happened to other important activities of yesteryear.

A huge food stand with local and traditional folk products is organized in this setting.
There is no shortage of musical entertainment with various folk groups coming from different countries of Molise and beyond.

In the evening musical performance by Abruzzo singer-songwriter Setak, winner of the Tengo plaque in 2024 for the best dialect album entitled “Assamanù.”