A little giant in the processions of the past in Mistretta

The memory of the people, supported by some historical sources, attest to the presence of a small giant in the processions of the past. This fact should not surprise us; rather, its early disappearance should be surprising. The construction of a family of Giants around an original colossus is a European custom dating back to the Early Modern period, which is now widespread between France and Belgium and in Spain as evidenced by the presence of the famous cabezudos (dwarfs with huge heads that flank the Giants). Moreover, even the description of the features of the gigantello, consisting of “a disproportionate papier-mâché head” worn by a youth, seems to support the hypothesis of its similarity with the big heads in Spain (still entrusted to children). It is, however, the deformed and evil profile, and the transgressive nature of the hoarder, the figghiu d’i Giasanti (the son of the Giants) that distinguishes it from the giant European offspring. The little giant of Mistretta, in fact, did not merely limit himself to following his parents in the parade, but rather indulged in pranks, tantrums and theft, which caused complaints and protests. One of the restorers of Cronos and Mitya argues that the role of the son of the Giants may be associated with that of the camel, widespread in Messina and Calabria in different locations, which sources associate with knavish deeds: “this is the putting in place of the ritual of controlled disorder or of the suspension of rule through a temporary (and fictional) redistribution of property.” In Calabria, at times, the son of the Giants is located on the back of the exotic animal.