PhD Program in Historical studies
The Naca of Catanzaro
The NacaThe term Naca is one of the variants which in southern Italy indicate pageants (usually called Vare or misteri) used to carry statues in procession (of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the saints), statuary groups (depicting scenes from the Passion and other biblical or hagiographical subjects) or objects of worship (such as the symbols of the Passion). of Catanzaro is an artistic catafalque which is placed on the coffin of the Dead Christ, surmounted by a white cross. Adorned with satin and silk damask fabrics, flowers and lights, the Naca houses a few papier-mâché angels, bearing the symbols of the Passion in their hand: the cup, the nails and the hammer. For Catanzaro it is the symbol of the Christian mystery of the Death and Resurrection, at once the cradle and the coffin of Jesus. During the procession on Good Friday the catafalque is carried on people’s shoulders with a suffering and rocking movement (called annacata in Calabrian dialect), preceded by the statue of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows (dressed in black and with a heart pierced by as many swords, symbolizing the pain suffered in life by Mary). Today, the Naca is dragged by the fire fighters. In the past, however, this privilege was given to the members of the city guilds. The crosses, however, to this date, are still carried by the members of the confraternity. The latter, as a sign of penance, walk barefoot, wearing a crown of thorns and suffer flogging by people dressed as Roman soldiers (introduced in the representation only in the twentieth century). The notes of the funeral march and the gaunt rhythm of the drum and trumpet mark the sorrowful pace of the faithful, in remembrance of the Way of the Cross of Christ. Even today, one of the three crosses is entrusted to an actor representing Jesus, followed by the two thieves (leading the remaining crosses), the three Marys, the Naca and by the statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint John. The long procession with lighted lamps and lanterns, opened by the insignia of the confraternity which organizes it and by three huge banners (of the Virgin Mary, Saint John and Christ), is closed by a large group of faithful. On the road to Calvary, at some point, Simon of Cyrene appears, the character of the Gospel that relieves the suffering of Jesus. Upon returning to the Church a poignant Crucifixion is introduced with the lights off. The Good Friday procession is thus one the most important rites of Easter in Catanzaro.