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TheBadalisc (alsoBadalisk) is amythical creature of theVal Camonica,Italy, in thesouthern central Alps.[1] The Badalisc is represented today as a creature with a big head covered with agoat skin, two small horns, a huge mouth and glowing eyes.
According to legend the Badalisc lives in the woods around the village ofAndrista (commune ofCevo) and is supposed to annoy the community: each year it is captured during the period ofEpiphany (5 & 6 January) and led on a rope into the village by musicians and masked characters, includingil giovane (the young man),il vecchio (the old man),la vecchia (the old woman) and the youngsignorina, who is "bait" for the animal's lust. There are also some oldwitches, who beat drums, and bearded shepherds, and ahunchback (un torvo gobetto) who has a "rustic duel" with the animal. Traditionally only men take part, although some aredressed as women. In medieval times women were prohibited from participating in the exhibition, or even to see or hear the Badalisc's Speech; if they did so they would be deniedHoly Communion the following day.
In the village square (formerly in a stable) theBadalisc's speech (la 'ntifunada) is read, in which the mythological animalgossips about the community. The Badalisc itself is a dumb creature, so the speech, nowadays written in rhyme, is read by an "interpreter". Once improvised, now written in advance, the speech reveals all the supposed sins and scheming of the community. During the speech the hunchback bangs his stick rhythmically at intervals.
The speech is followed by singing, dancing and feasting. In the evening the community eats the "Badaliscpolenta" (a commercial version of this traditional food was launched in 2010).[2] Until recently, village children would beg from house to house during the Badalisc celebrations for cornmeal to make the polenta; a Badaliscsalami was also specially made for them. The badalisc has aplace of honour at the feasts.[3]
On the second day, at the end of the exhibition, the Badalisc is set free and allowed to return to the woods.[4]
The ritual has strong similarities with theBosinada,Bosinade orBusinade, satirical performances of prose, poetry or song, in which a storyteller (theBosin) denounced the misdeeds of the community. Known from the 16th century, these were once widespread throughout northern Italy and derived from the purification rituals ofNew Year's Eve.[5]
Any link between the Badalisk of Andrista and the mythicalBasilisk (half lizard, half serpent, with a head like a cat, but squarer, like a toad) that incinerates everything on which it rests its gaze (well known in Cevo and elsewhere in northern Italy) is unclear.
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Luca Giarelli,Il Badalisc di Andrista: maschera di Cevo in Valle Camonica, inCarnevali e folclore delle Alpi. Riti, suoni e tradizioni popolari delle vallate europee, 2012,ISBN 978-88-6618-948-0.
