The Spring Festival, in some countries, is celebrated with the ancient rite of the “pagliara,” a tradition that symbolizes the arrival of the beautiful season through the personification of the month of May. The protagonist of the rite wears a conical structure woven with branches and flowers, parading through the streets accompanied by the sound of bagpipes. A floral cross is usually placed at the top of the pagliara.
A particularly striking variation of this tradition is found in Acquaviva Collecroce, where the “Mája” takes on an anthropomorphic appearance with a well-defined head and arms, making the figure even more realistic and scenic. More than three meters tall, the structure of the Mája is made of flexible branches, reeds and straw, without the use of a wire mesh, unlike other versions.
The decoration of the Mája takes place the day before the festival, thanks to the efforts of youth and adults in the village. The figure takes on distinctly feminine features: she wears a crown on her head, long hair and a lower part resembling a wide skirt. Another distinctive feature is the absence of the cross on top: in its place is a conspicuous decorative topknot. In addition, while in some countries the “Pagliaro” may even enter the church, the Mája of Acquaviva Collecroce remains outside, maintaining a more secular character related to the celebration of nature.
This ancient tradition, with its local variations, is a fascinating example of how folklore and seasonal celebrations live on in communities, passing on symbols and meanings related to the cycle of nature and spring rebirth.