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Rivoli (TO): rievocazione storica
Rivoli (TO): rievocazione storica della giornata del 1730 in cui il Re Vittorio Amedeo II abdicò in favore del figlio Carlo Emanuele III Rivoli (TO): rievocazione storica della giornata del 1730 in cui il Re Vittorio Amedeo II abdicò in favore del figlio Carlo Emanuele I... more
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Bravio 2008 - Tavoli
I piccoli camerieri della Contrada di Gracciano. Servire ai tavoli durante la settimanda del Bravio..un occasione per fare nuovi amici e divertirsi lavorando un pò. Un video di Filippo Biagianti I piccoli camerieri della Contrada di Gracciano. Servire ai tavoli durante la settimanda del Bravio..un occasione per fare nuovi amici... more
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Busking Bravio - A.D. 2008
Un suonatore di srada in una giornata di festa. Montepulciano aspetta la sua corsa delle botti accompagnato dalle note del Chapman Stick. Musiche di Andrea Marcucci - Video di Filippo Biagianti - Tutta la musica del video è stata registrata rogorosamente dal vivo durante le riprese. Un suonatore di srada in una giornata di festa. Montepulciano aspetta la sua corsa delle botti accompagnato dalle note del Chapman Sti... more
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Montepulciano - Bravio 2007 - Io e Adriano
Una clip dedicata ad una persona che ha vissuto l'avventura del Bravio fin dal suo inizio, sempre con la stessa dedizione e spontaneità. Ciao Adriano. Creazione video:Filippo Biagianti Una clip dedicata ad una persona che ha vissuto l'avventura del Bravio fin dal suo inizio, sempre con la stessa dedizione e spont... more
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Montepulciano - Bravio 2007 - Pici, Storia e Memoria
Un piccolo viaggio nella storia di questa manifestazione, attraverso la memoria di chi l'ha vissuta fino dagli inizi. I ricordi si intrecciano con i momenti di vita vissuta dentro e fuori la contrada. Un piccolo viaggio nella storia di questa manifestazione, attraverso la memoria di chi l'ha vissuta fino dagli inizi. I ricordi s... more
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Montepulciano - Bravio 2007 - Il Panno e il Gonfaloniere
Il Panno del Bravio 2007. La notte del proclama del Gonfaloniere con il quale si rende noto alla cittadinanza dell'approsimmarsi della corsa.
Le contrade schierate in piazza aspettano l'annuncio. Giochi di fuoco e sbandierate. Il Panno del Bravio 2007. La notte del proclama del Gonfaloniere con il quale si rende noto alla cittadinanza dell'approsimmarsi ... more -
Montepulciano - Bravio 2007 - Bandiere
L'allenamento degli sbandieratori prima della corsa delle botti. Si provano le coreografie e i lanci, aspettando la corsa nell'ultima domenica di Agosto. L'allenamento degli sbandieratori prima della corsa delle botti. Si provano le coreografie e i lanci, aspettando la corsa nell&#... more
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Bravio - Il Palio delle Botti di Montepulciano
Il corteo storico del Bravio di Montrepulciano, una rievocazione storica basata su antichi statuti medievali. La manifestazione culmina con la corsa delle botti, palio unico nel suo genere.....non poteve che essere così nella città del Vino Nobile.
Creazione video:Filippo Biagianti Il corteo storico del Bravio di Montrepulciano, una rievocazione storica basata su antichi statuti medievali. La manifestazione culmin... more -
Medieval polar atlas depicts mysterious Arctic islands
This polar chart was first published in 1589 by Gerard Mercator. Mercator claimed that 4 land masses encircled the North Pole, 4 rivers dived the land masses, and at the center was an oceanic vortex which cycled water back to all the world rivers. This was reported by many other explorers, but decades later no trace could be found. Could this have been the folklorish Kingdom of Frisland? This polar chart was first published in 1589 by Gerard Mercator. Mercator claimed that 4 land masses encircled the North Pole, 4 river... more
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Reclaiming Our Children through Multicultural Literature
Stunned by the lack of African culture and history in the marketplace, a Nigerian-born father has tapped his roots to publish a children’s book and produce plush toys based on African folklore in a bid to add a splash of color to the options open to African-American families.
In July 2008, Author Kunle Oguneye published Sikulu and Harambe: By the Zambezi River ($14.99; www.sikulu.com), the first in a series of adventures that follow Sikulu the spider and Harambe the hippo as they travel throughout Africa. Based on an African folktale, the story reinforces the values of kindness and compassion. The book also offers a glossary of terms and weaves facts about Zambian culture and geography into the story. Children and adults alike come away learning about Zambia as they engage with the lovable characters.
“Accepting the status quo just isn’t an option. Africa possesses a beautifully rich, ancient history that our children have a right to know about,” said Oguneye, who put aside a career in technology to pursue his love for telling children’s stories. “Today, at last, your child can snuggle up with a toy named Harambe and be read a story that transports them to a place they have a history and connection with.”
Oguneye envisions not only a series of books and toys, but also video games and animated programs. “I want to be the next Hanna-Barbera,” Oguneye said. The book and toys can be purchased online from www.sikulu.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target.
''It is increasingly important for African American children to be exposed to culturally relevant books from an early age to establish and maintain a sense of cultural significance and identity. The Sikulu & Harambe series is a fantastic exploration of African culture and traditions and a proponent for solid moral values,'' said Amina Jones Fields, Director of Education for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. Stunned by the lack of African culture and history in the marketplace, a Nigerian-born father has tapped his roots to publish a childr... more -
They Might Be Giants - Davy Crockett in outer space
There is so much you didn't know about this folk hero....
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Scholar finds original writer of "Obama is a Muslim" false chain letter
Laid out before Allen, a razor-sharp, 36-year-old political theorist, was what purported to be a biographical sketch of Barack Obama that has become one of the most effective -- and baseless -- Internet attacks of the 2008 presidential season. The anonymous chain e-mail makes the false claim that Obama is concealing a radical Islamic background. By the time it reached Allen on Jan. 11, 2008, it had spread with viral efficiency for more than a year.
During that time, polls show the number of voters who mistakenly believe Obama is a Muslim rose -- from 8 percent to 13 percent between November 2007 and March 2008. And some cited this religious mis-affiliation when explaining their primary votes against him.
As the general-election campaign against Sen. John McCain has gotten underway, Obama's aides have made the smears a top target. They recently launched FightTheSmears.com to "aggressively push back with the truth," said Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor, and go viral with it. The Web site urges supporters to upload their address books and send e-mails to all of their friends. "
But long before this, Allen had been obsessing about the origins of her e-mail at the institute, which is most famous for having been the research home of Albert Einstein. Allen studies the way voters in a democracy gather their information and act on what they learn. She was familiar, of course, with the false rumors of a secret love child that helped sink McCain's White House bid in 2000, and the Swift boat attacks that did the same to Democrat John Kerry in 2004. But the Obama e-mail was on another plane: The use of the Internet made it possible to launch anonymous attacks that could reach millions of voters in weeks or even days.
END QUOTE Laid out before Allen, a razor-sharp, 36-year-old political theorist, was what purported to be a biographical sketch of Barack Obama t... more -
L'ULTIMO MAIALE, testimonianza di una tradizione scomparsa
In occasione dell'uccisione casalinga dell'ultimo maiale, la famiglia si riunisce intorno al nonno per sentirne ricordi, impressioni, aneddoti e il metodo tradizionale di trattamento di uno degli animali cardine della cultura popolare italiana. Un video che aldilà di ogni moralismo e censura dimostra il rispetto che la tradizione riservava alla Natura: niente mattatoi, niente gabbie da catena di produzione. In occasione dell'uccisione casalinga dell'ultimo maiale, la famiglia si riunisce intorno al nonno per sentirne ricordi, imp... more
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Elefantentreffen
L'ultimo fine settimana di gennaio l'altrimenti sconosciuta cittadina DI Solla, nel Parco Nazionale della Baviera tedesca vive un momento di massima popolarità tra gli amanti delle due ruote.
Migliaia sono infatti i centauri che vi si recano per partecipare al più severo raduno motociclistico invernale: lo storico Elefantentreffen.
Oltre 5000 persone sfidano ogni anno condizioni atmosferiche proibitive per raggiungere il luogo dell'evento. La sfida per molti è riuscire ad arrivare con il proprio mezzo ma anche la meta ha un fascino unico. L'ultimo fine settimana di gennaio l'altrimenti sconosciuta cittadina DI Solla, nel Parco Nazionale della Baviera tedesca v... more -
Do You Believe In Fairies?
An author's reminiscence about three incidents which led him to believe there might be something more to fairy stories than science credits.
The fairy is based on the fae of medieval Western European (Old French) folklore and romance. Fairies are often identified with related beings of other mythologies (see list of beings referred to as fairies). Even in folkore that uses the term "fairy," there are many definitions of what constitutes a fairy. Sometimes the term is used to describe any magical creature, including goblins or gnomes: at other times, the term only describes a specific type of more ethereal creature.
Fairies are generally described as human in appearance and as having magical powers. Their origins are less clear in the folklore, being variously the dead, or some form of angel, or a species completely independent of humans or angels. Folklorists have suggested that their actual origin lies in a conquered race living in hiding, or in religious beliefs that lost currency with the advent of Christianity. These explanations are not always mutually incompatible, and they may be traceable to multiple sources.
Much of the folklore about fairies revolves about protection from their malice, by such means as cold iron or charms of rowan and herbs, or avoiding offense by shunning locations known to be theirs. In particular, folklore describes how to prevent the fairies from stealing babies and substituting changelings, and abducting older people as well. An author's reminiscence about three incidents which led him to believe there might be something more to fairy stories than scien... more -
Imbolc And The Pagan Groundhog
by Marisa
Most of us know Imbolc by its more mainstream moniker, Groundhog Day, a day on which a prophetic Pennsylvanian groundhog alerts us to the coming of spring. Less well known, is that this unusual holiday is grounded (ahem) in rich Pagan history.
The word Imbolc derives from the Gaelic "Oimelc" (ewe's milk), referencing the seasonal lactation of pregnant ewes as spring approaches. In Ireland, Imbolc honored the Goddess Brigid in her maiden state, as she lured the youthful Sun God's return with candlelight and "Brigid's Crosses" (equilateral crosses encased in circles, representing the Wheel of the Year). Eventually Christian traditions integrated Imbolc, renaming it Candlemas and shifting the candle-lighting focus to the Virgin Mary.
What does this have to do with a groundhog? By Pagan legend, Brigid's snake would emerge from her womb (do with that symbolism as you like) on Imbolc to determine the proximity of spring. To the same end, in Brittany, grain sheaves were thrown on a fire - with the pace of the burn representing the speed of spring's approach.
So sure, our groundhog tradition has the seasonal fortune-telling angle covered, but this year maybe round out the holiday with additional Imbolc rituals, such as fashioning a Brigid's Cross to hang protectively over your door, tossing coins in a well for fortune, or cleaning your home, both physically and spiritually with a smudging of sage and sprinkling of lavender or rosemary water. Then settle into a candlelit purification bath, and await the forecast on spring.
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Countdown to Halloween: Introducing Samhain
by Marisa
For most of us autumn is rife with Halloween images and traditions: Jack-o-lanterns, spider webs, haunted houses, and apple bobbing. The symbols are familiar, but many of their stories have been buried with time and commercialization. (I mean, its not quite Mothers Day or Valentines Day, but Im thinking Hallmark and company are pretty fond of this time of year.) Beneath all the eerie seasonal fun, however, lies an equally intriguing Celtic and pagan history.
In simplest terms, pagan holidays honor the seasons, encouraging us to look within ourselves and our world at the parallel cycles of birth and death, and planting and harvest. Each ancient sabbat coincides with a more familiar holiday, such as Yule at the Winter Solstice near Christmas, Mabon aligning roughly with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Ostara at Passover / Easter, and even Imbolc at Groundhogs Day. So whats the big deal with October 31st?
Halloween, known to the ancient Celts as Samhain (pronounced SOW-an) from the Irish-Gaelic word for summers end, was brought to the United States by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants in the 19th century. By the ancient Celtic calendar, Samhain marks the last of three harvest festivals, as well as the end of the Celtic year. All plantings, both figurative and literal, have been reaped, so as the leaves fall and the earth slumbers, we are encouraged to look within ourselves at our own recent closures in preparation for the new years rebirth.
In this sense, Halloweens emphasis on death is largely figurative, but Samhain is not without its literal hauntings. During the rickety "tween" hours of Samhain night, the ancient Celts believed the veil between the living and dead was at its finest, allowing for free communication between the earthly and spiritual planes. For some, Samhain was therefore an opportunity for communication or séance with a departed loved one - and for others it was a long evening of hauntings and supernatural pranksters.
Where do you fall on this spectrum? Count down with Daily Mantra to find out, as we explore the traditions, tricks, and treats of Samhain 2007 via seven daily installments. Happy Halloween!
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Countdown To Halloween: Wise Old Crone Or Wizened Hag, Which Witch Are You?
by Marisa
The association of Halloween with witches is as old as the holiday itself and yet witchy interpretations have varied wildly with time. To contemporary American children, the cackling gorgon on her broomstick is textbook nightmare and horror film fodder. To Wiccans and ancient Celts, however, this wart-nosed hag represented the Goddess as woman in the final state of life. Wise with experience, she stirred at her cauldron (womb), wherein the dead awaited their rebirth with the Sun God at Yule. Pagan perspectives often utilize both Goddess and God figures in a yin/yang-like dynamic: the God being born of the Goddess each year and maturing to his death and rebirth, as the Goddess holds constant and immortal.
So, why the huge interpretational chasm? When Pope Gregory IV standardized All Hollows Day (or All Saints Day) from its previous May date to November 1, the Pagan Samhain festival was imbued with Christian meaning. Some of these pieces fit easily - Samhains honoring of the dead became All Hollows Days honoring of the saints - but others, like the powerful crone, were perhaps a bit more threatening, as demonstrated by the European witch hunts spanning 1450-1700. And so what was once a symbol of reverence for death and the life cycle transitioned into a figure of mystical peril.
So, ok, that takes care of the witch and the cauldron, but whats with the broomsticks and flying in the air? The Wiccan broom (or besom) is used to cleanse ritual spaces by literally and figuratively sweeping away negativity, and then stored near a hearth or door to prevent evil from entering. During the Burning Times, witches were accused of flying broom-less, thanks to a grease-based flying ointment. Given that many of the ointments ingredients were hallucinogenic (hemp, belladonna, and poppy), another interpretation is that flying may have referred to astral projection.
And then theres that favorite witchy companion: the bat. While nocturnal flight and vampiric associations have long contributed to make the bat a symbol of Halloween hauntings, many Pagans view the bat as a protective presence, harbinger of good fortune, or guide to past lives. Fortunately such dichotomies are in many ways exactly what Halloween is about: the veil between life and death, love and fear, yin and yang. So whether you think shes a magical crone or a terrifying hag, on Samhain, all witches are welcome.
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Countdown to Halloween: Bobbing Apples And The Dumb Supper
by Marisa
Halloween may not come to mind as readily as, say, Thanksgiving, for culinary enticements, but theres a great deal more to this ancient Celtic tradition than soul-cakes and bags of candy.
To begin, hospitality was historically a substantial Samhain component. In addition to the treats bestowed on visiting guisers in exchange for songs or prayers, dinners were prepared for the deceased, both to honor passed loved ones, and to appease less friendly spirits. In areas of Ireland and Scotland they still set a place for dead loved ones at the Samhain table, and pass the evening with nostalgic stories. The more menacing spirits, however, proved more of a trick. Not wishing to invite any threatening presence into the home, ancient Celts would place a dumb supper of traditional Samhain foods outside their door, or bury apples roadside for those spirits who were lost or without descendants.
Why the emphasis on apples? In keeping with the ongoing apple-bobbing tradition, ancient Celts believed that eating a slice of three different apples ensured a year of good luck, and that an apple before sleep on Samhain night would prevent illness for a year. The apple was also credited with magical abilities, due in part to the pentagram revealed at an apples core, when sliced width-wise.
One Pagan divination ritual instructs that you sit in front of a mirror, lit only by candlelight or the moon, and descend into a meditative silence, focusing on a particular question. Next, cut an apple into nine pieces, eating the first eight with your back to the mirror before throwing the ninth slice over your left shoulder, and following it with your gaze. If you allow your focus to soften, an image is said to form from the reflected moon or candlelight in the mirror, providing your answer.
In addition to apples, other Dumb Supper foods include traditional Irish colcannon and barmbrack - just chew carefully, as Samhain dishes often include buried objects, such as coins, rings, or cloth, from which the diner might glean divination. Hazelnuts are another customary Samhain treat, regarded by the Celts as a symbol of occult wisdom, as is chocolate, associated in Mexico with wishing the dead a sweet return in their next incarnation.
So this year, dont limit yourself to the candies of contemporary custom, but indulge instead in a full Samhain feast! After all, youre just protecting your home.
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Countdown to Halloween: Trick-Or-Treating Through Time
by Marisa
Costumes, masks, and trick-or-treating. Fun stuff, associated with costume parties and the collection of candy, right? Sure, in contemporary American society, but the original Pagan associations were a more literal matter of life and death.
To the ancient Celts, the thin veil between the living and dead on Samhain night allowed for both reverent reunion with departed loved ones and possible harm from more malicious wandering spirits. To protect against the latter, Pagans donned masks and costumes of the dead, hiding their identity as living beings, and allowing them to walk unharmed among Samhains spirits.
How did these masquerades coincide with trick-or-treating? To best understand this evolution, we need to make a pit-stop at guising a Scottish tradition in which goblin and ghoul-costumed folk sang and danced their way among neighborhood homes, intimidating any evil spirits in their path. In exchange for their performance, residents would provide a treat that is, the smart residents would, as in absence of said treat, guisers were prone to, well, tricks. Christmas wassailing, dating from the Middle Ages, is another example of the Celtic exchange of song and sustenance as is the medieval practice of souling, in which peasants would travel door to door across the British Isles, receiving soul cakes in return for their Samhain prayers for the dead.
So while the Samhain stakes have dropped with time, and the urgency of dressing as a ghost, goblin, witch, or ghoul to avoid detection among the dead has transitioned into a more playful variation, creative fun still abounds in this long-standing tradition. Maybe this year add some soul cakes to your Halloween spread, or favor a ghostly ensemble over more contemporary trends. Youll be treating friends to a Halloween tale, and avoiding the tricks of those wandering spirits all in one.
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