Among the most heartfelt devotional celebrations in Campania, is celebrated on February 2, when the "femminielli" go up to the Sanctuary of Montevergine (the so-called Juta) to honor the rite of Mamma Schiavona and respect an ancient tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages.
The ancient Candlemas festival, known to most as the "Juta dei Femminielli". Hundreds of faithful, coming from all over Italy, reach the sanctuary in prayer, to give thanks to one of the seven Madonnas of Campania, th read more
Among the most heartfelt devotional celebrations in Campania, is celebrated on February 2, when the "femminielli" go up to the Sanctuary of Montevergine (the so-called Juta) to honor the rite of Mamma Schiavona and respect an ancient tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages.
The ancient Candlemas festival, known to most as the "Juta dei Femminielli". Hundreds of faithful, coming from all over Italy, reach the sanctuary in prayer, to give thanks to one of the seven Madonnas of Campania, the black Madonna, Mamma Schiavona, protector of the different, who "forgives all".
It is a day of intense sacrifice and sweat! Suffice it to say that to get to the top of the mountain (1270 meters high), where the sanctuary is located, it takes over two hours of walking. Tammurriate and songs accompany the pilgrims along the entire route.
The Candlemas ritual is a tradition that has centuries-old origins, a festival that probably draws inspiration from ancient pagan rites. It is a moment of transition. In February, when nature regenerates and the seeds take root to give life to prosperous crops, the women of the community lit candles in procession to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
One of the most accredited legends wants, however, that even before the foundation of the sanctuary, two homosexuals, discovered by the villagers in intimate attitudes, were sent to die of cold and fed to the wolves on the top of Mount Partenio, but protected by Mamma Schiavona , the two young people survived and were able to love each other freely in their community without hiding anymore. The origin of the devotion of the femminielli to the Madonna of Montevergine would therefore be found in this sign of extreme tolerance and benevolence.
Furthermore, the “Juta” represents a moment in which diversity and devotion meet at the same time. The occasion is right to reaffirm gay pride. It is known that in Neapolitan popular culture, the femminiello has always represented something sacred, divine, because it is a synthesis of the supernatural: a spirit that contains opposites, male and female, and has always been accepted and respected. read less
