Easter in San Fratello - The feast of the Jews

Traditions

On the occasion of the Holy Week in San Fratello some ancient and traditional rites take place, known as the Festa dei Giudei, which make the Easter celebrations in San Fratello one of the most folklore of Sicily.
The feast of the Jews is a representation that recalls when the Jews beat and led Christ to Calvary. It is characterized by groups of people running around the village playing trumpets and wearing a characteristic costume: red and yellow jacket and trousers rich in beaded embroidery, helmet decorated with a plume or a fur or horse tail, military shoulder pads, gloves and leather shoes. The face is covered by a red hood characterized by a long leather tongue with a cross embroidered on the tip, in reference to the mockery that the soldiers used to make at the figure of the crucifix.
The Jews accompany the liturgical celebrations on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday of Holy Week making transgressive gestures, breaking into the sad processions with the blasts of their trumpets, which mock the sacred and austere character of the Passion.

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