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THE DEVIL'S MASQUERADE |
  
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| The origin of this event is linked with the propitiatory rites of spring, celebrated with the involvement of large crowds ever since the Middle Ages. At Tufara the rite begins early in the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday, when merry bands of masked musicians in multicoloured costumes parade through the town. Meanwhile, in another part of the town, the procession of "devils" is being prepared in great secret. There may be two or three devils, depending on the year, who are accompanied by two characters representing "death", and by two monks or "squires" who guard the devils tied in chains. The devils have a horrifying appearance: with their faces painted black, horns on their heads, they clutch a pitchfork in their hand and are dressed in heavy cloaks made of seven goat skins stitched together. They run through the town, raid kitchens and try to slacken their chains in order to capture some misfortunate bystander. The scene continues alla afternoon amid the jokes and tricks fo the masked figures; then, late in the evening, on the stronghold of the Longobard castle, there begins the trial of Carnival, represented by a dummy of cloth and straw, in the presence of a presiding judge and two magistrates. The accused is sentenced to death and is executed immediately by a platoon of soldiers who fire repeatedly at the dummy from the balconies opposite; then the judge hurls the remains of Carnival down from the castle walls. The "devils" jab their forks into the "body" and tear it apart, scattering it all over the neighbouring countryside.
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