The Timeless Charm of ‘Nardu’s Pastoral’ in Santa Elisabetta
Santa Elisabetta, in the heart of the province of Agrigento, preserves one of the oldest agropastoral traditions in Sicily: the famous “Pastoral of Nardu.” This captivating spectacle, held annually on January 6th during Epiphany, symbolizes the revelation of the birth of Jesus.
The performance unfolds along Corso Umberto, known as “Strata longa,” being turned into a stage for a parade reflecting the seasonal transhumance of flocks, herds, and shepherds from mountainous areas to plains. The route includes key locations such as the Grotte di Keli, the Mother Church, and Piazza San Carlo.
Rooted in rural life, the Pastoral provides a glimpse into the unique and respectful essence of Sicilian heritage. Nardu, a unique farm laborer and a central figure symbolizing redemption for the marginalized, guides the audience through the art of mime, reproducing rural and pastoral life. Other characters, such as ‘u picuraru, ‘u curdaru, ‘u cardunaru, ‘u massaru, ‘u cacciaturi, enrich the scene with their distinctive trades.
Nardu presents a fake hump, a face painted in white, worn-out clothes tightened by a ddisa belt, and a headdress made from a sock with a weight at the end. Despite the humiliations suffered by the shepherds, Nardu’s dynamic movements enliven the representation, portraying the daily life of a farmhouse.
The dramatization reaches its climax at the moment of transhumance, symbolized by the relocation of a farmhouse and animals due to food shortages. Accompanied by the ricotta cheese festival and tasting of local products, the performance begins with three “paladins” on horseback scouring the territory. Performances at the Mother Church precede the conclusion at Piazza San Carlo.
The secular moment ends at dinner with a typical dish: pasta with ricotta cheese served in a single container (‘a maiddra). Only at the end, the ritual takes on a religious connotation related to Epiphany, with a star guiding an angel and three horsemen stopping in front of the Holy Family’s grotto. Nardu, unaware of the others, arrives first, thus closing the event with a touch of mystery.he three wise men) stopping in front of the Holy Family’s grotto.
The Nardu Pastoral 2024 (January 6, 2024)
The “Nardu Pastoral” begins at 7, accompanied by the traditional music of bagpipes and drums.
At 8, there will be a Eucharistic celebration at the church of Sant’Antonio.
At 9, the musical band will parade through the streets of the village. Subsequently, at 10, tastings of ricotta and fresh tuma will be offered in Piazza Giovanni XXIII and in Via Municipio.
At 10:30, the fair-market dedicated to local dairy and food products will open.
At 11:30, there will be another Eucharistic celebration at the Mother Church.
At 1:30 PM, the “Pastoral” will begin from the Mother Church to Piazza San Carlo.
At 6, there will be a procession followed by a new Eucharistic celebration.
Finally, the fireworks, offered by the administration through the Parish Committee “Pastoral 2024,” will close the event in a spectacular explosion of lights in the sky.
