"La ‘Ndrezzata" (dialect for “intrecciata”= “woven”) is the traditional & popular dance/song from the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples in the region Campania, performed with short sticks and wooden swords.
The origins of la 'Ndrezzata are still not clear: some say that it was introduced by the Greeks and is a leftover of military battle training. Other sources claim that the dance symbolizes the fight between the inhabitants of Ischia and the Saracens invading the island from the coast of Africa.
Another version, referring to a manuscript from the sixteenth century, tells the tragic story of two men, one from the village of Barano and a one from Buonopane, who felt in love with the same woman.
The ensuing fight between the two men also involved all the inhabitants of the two towns, and it was so cruel that the bishop had to intervene to end the bloody Vendetta between the two villages.
The manuscript reports that peace was celebrated on Easter Monday in Buonopane and since then, on Easter Mondays and on San Giovanni’s day (the patron Saint of Buonopane), the 24th of June, the 'Ndrezzata is performed to evoke the ancient conflict and the reconciliation between the two villages.
The dance is performed by 18 dancers divided into 2 groups, dressed in typical Ischian fishermen costumes from the seventeenth century
The dance is accompanied by tambourines and flutes, beating the time in a gradually more energetic and fast rhythm while the dancers engage in a “fight” reciting their ritual chant in loud voice.
The ritual is divided in three parts: the parade, the preaching and the dance itself. The main movements of the ‘Ndrezzata are the basic elements of fencing: salute, strikes, parades and evasions.
The tradition is passed from generation to generation and only the fathers can teach the moves and pass them to their sons.
Obliviously, since the sword was always reserved for the rich, the wooden sword symbolizes the knife (“la spada del popolo”=the sword of the people) and the short stick shows the handling a light walking stick in combination.
Also, the traditional lyrics, only mention the stick(…”perché ho sempre tra le mani questo bastone!”=..because I always have this stick in my hand …)
and knife (…”Mi sale il sangue al cervello, metto la mano in tasca, caccio il coltello e assesto un colpo..”= my blood starts to boil, put my hand in my pocket, grab the knife and land a strike...)
which are the basic tools and weapons for a poor fisherman since ever.
Since this may be the most famous and the oldest “Moresca” (Weapon dance) of south Italy there are more to find in Campania.
To mention is the (meanwhile strongly influenced by the ´Ndrezzata of Ischia) Taccarata in the Province of Avellino, which uses two sticks about 60 cm (“Taccaro”). Also here, we find the footwork of the knife fighting/duel tradition and even some equal technical terms (“zumpata” etc.), as well as positions for self-defense as found in the “Bastone Napoletano” stick fighting style.
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| Taccarata Cervinarese |
Similar traditions of the region are named “Danza Mazzarelle” (with clubs) or the “Tarantella Bastonata” …a mock stick duel tarantella between two men.
At this point it states out, there is no clear separation between “folk dance” and “folk martial arts” traditions in south Italy.