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Thegnaga is a type of mask originating inVenice. The mask depicts the face of acat and was historically worn bymale prostitutes andcross-dressers, particularly during theCarnival of Venice. The mask covers the top half of the face and is traditionally made ofpapier-mâché.[1]
The wordgnaga derives fromgnau, aVenetian-language onomatopoeia representing themeow of a cat.[1] People that wear the gnaga are known asgnaghe.[2]
During the 16th century in theRepublic of Venice, homosexuality was illegal and punishable by death by hanging and burning inPiazza San Marco. However, Venetian law stipulated that people could not be arrested for crimes committed while performing as a masked character during theCarnival of Venice.[3][4] According to local legend, male homosexual prostitutes wore cat masks and performed as women to avoid arrest for their sexuality. Gnaga performers often wore dresses and carried baskets ofkittens with them.[1][5] Occasionally they pretended to be nannies and carried real babies.[6]
According to a popular story, male prostitutes were greatly popular in Venice, even outcompeting female prostitutes.[7] It is said that in 1511, the Venetian government changed the law to allow female prostitutes to publicly display their breasts from balconies, in order to better compete with homosexuals. This change is said to have led to the naming ofPonte delle Tette (lit. 'Bridge of Bosoms') and Fondamenta delle Tette (lit. 'Bosom Street').[1][4]
The gnaga mask continues to be worn at the Carnival of Venice by men dressed as women.[8] Wearers of the mask sometimes carry a basket containing a cat, and meow at passers-by.[9][10]