Rosetta a Muncilebbrina

L’OPERA D’ARTE NELLA CULTURA SICILIANA The Sicilian shawl represents a real icon of our popular costume. Simple in its usually triangular shape, the shawl also recalls the divine triad of Catholicism. Its use, in fact, is particularly linked to religious ceremonies, giving off a strong votive nature. But, above all, here in Sicily the shawl was the symbol of amorous seal. A shawl was the gift that the mother-in-law brought on the day of the official engagement, at least until the first half of the last century. A shawl whose material it was made of was at the same time a symbol of economic position. There were woolen shawls, crocheted, and the richer the weave and the thinner the cotton, the more valuable it was.

Montelepre is a town of 5000 inhabitants in the western part of Sicily. It rises on the slopes of Monte d’Oro, inhabited since ancient times. The first nucleus of the country was the tower Ventimiglia, from 1435, around which the people of the near suburbs settled, thereby starting the foundation of Montelepre. From 1900 onwards many villagers emigrated in search of work in the United States of America and northern Europe. It is the town that gave birth to the brigand Salvatore Giuliano.

(photo) Sicilian woman cc 1900