Katabba: the sound of Monforte San Giorgio
Bence Csanádi - CC4.0
The term Katabba indicates the joint sound of bells and drum. Its rhythm recalls the phases of Roger the Norman's entry into Monforte San Giorgio in 1061.
The Katabba begins with the imitation of the horse's step of the messenger announcing the arrival of the liberator. By increasing the pace, the galloping horses of the arriving conquering army and the aimless and disorderly flight of the fleeing infidels are imitated. Then the festive sound represents the crowd honoring the liberating prince. The sound continues, suddenly varying both in tone and in rhythm for over twenty minutes.
The katabba is played from 17 January, the day of the feast of Sant'Antonio Abate, and until 5 February, the day of the feast of Sant'Agata. On this occasion two faithful, one an expert in the sound of the drum and the other in that of the bells, repeat this particular sound twice a day, in the morning at dawn and in the evening after sunset.
The sound of the Katabba is one of the traditional manifestations that take place during the event katabba a thousand years of history
