Tradizioni di Natale e presepi viventi in Sicilia

Who are the “zampognari”?

Zampognari are the Italian Christmas bagpipers, traditionally shepherds who come down from the mountains of Abruzzo, Calabria, Molise, and Sicily during Advent to play novene (nine-day Christmas songs) in town squares. They wear sheepskin vests, carry the zampogna (a goatskin bagpipe) and ciaramella (a wooden pipe), and travel in pairs. The tradition dates to at least the 18th century.

In this clip, a Sicilian narrator describes Christmas in Sicily, naming the zampognari alongside presepi viventi (“living nativity scenes”) that fill towns like Custonaci during the holidays. Italy keeps both traditions alive as serious cultural institutions.