The performance of the “Pastorale” and the “Herodias,” held alongside the Ricotta Festival, is an annual event that takes place on January 6th in Sant’Angelo Muxaro (Sicily). It represents, in the sacred context of the anticipation of Jesus’ birth, the reenactment of a once-thriving peasant and pastoral culture now rapidly vanishing—of which only memory is being preserved.

The event involves the entire town throughout Epiphany Day on January 6th. The origin of the performance is uncertain: some attribute it to the initiative of a priest from Campofranco, who may have derived the script from the Pastorale by Father Fedele Tirrito; others claim it was imported from nearby Sant’Elisabetta. However, the current version, dating back to the early 1900s, differs considerably from either account. The day begins early in the morning with a parade of horses, donkeys, and mules adorned with richly embroidered, Arabesque-style blankets. Riders wear traditional clothing: velvet garments or sheepskin attire, depending on the social class they represent. At the same time, a group of shepherds lead a flock of sheep from the countryside to the central Piazza Umberto I. Once the flock is in place, the shepherds take their positions and begin preparing fresh ricotta. Immediately afterwards, the Ricotta Festival is officially opened with the traditional cutting of the cake, and tastings begin of the freshly made products: ricotta, tuma, ricotta cake, and cannoli.

In the afternoon, the so-called “Pastorale” begins—a tragicomic theatrical performance in which two shepherds, Nardo and his overseer Riberio, dressed in animal skins, mostly improvise their lines. Nardo repeatedly tries to overturn the social order, mocking his superior, who ineffectively attempts to issue commands that are ignored or poorly executed. The skits between the two vary from year to year, changing at the discretion of the performers, but the central theme always remains: Nardo’s farcical rebellion against his superior, who, perched on his donkey, tries in vain to restore order.

A few hours later, another stage hosts “Herodias,” a parody of Herod, the cruel King of Judea. The scene shows the visit of the Magi to his palace as they follow the Star of Bethlehem, confirming the birth of Jesus. The celebration ends with the crowd accompanying the Baby Jesus to the Church.

Beyond its modern reinterpretation—especially the addition of the ricotta fair—this event remains a powerful commemorative moment. It perfectly portrays the social fabric of a not-so-distant past, one quickly overturned by technological advances. On January 6th, the vast world of pastoral life that once defined the region around Sant’Angelo comes alive once more.

 

This element has been included in the Register of Intangible Heritage of local interest of the Municipality of Sant’Angelo Muxaro, as part of Intervention 5 “Activation of the Observatory on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Territory through the application of the REIL methodology – Register of Intangible Heritage of Local Interest”, within the “Mito, storia e tradizioni agropastorali” project, funded by the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), Mission: Digitalisation, innovation, competitiveness, culture and tourism, Component: Tourism and culture 4.0, Investment 2.1 “Attractiveness of villages.” CUP: E69I22000140006.