WTI Magazine #78    2016 April 15
Author : folclore.it      Translation by:

The Carrese of San Martino in Pensilis is among the dearest events to the population of Molise. A poet from San Martino has described it as an "archaic collective prayer in honor of St. Leo": a race of ox carts, each led by three men and "pushed" by riders behind and to the sides haranguing with rods. The winning team is awarded with the honor to carry on its chariot, in procession, the body of St. Leo who the event is dedicated to. Behind this race beats the heart of many cheering and fervent people who carefully prepare the whole event: the evening of the first day in the main square the songs of Carrese are sung, parade floats and fireworks are lighten up.

The first one is also the day of the race: the carts receive the blessing around 1 pm, then head to the start, walking back the 8 km route of the race. Arrived at the start point, they wait for the "go" from the mayor to begin their race to the finish line.

What's the meaning of this tradition? The ox is the unpredictable force of nature, that man tries to measure and rule, in a season in which nature awakens in all its strength, and people (especially the farmers) switch from the static of the winter to the dynamic of the summer crops. The songs of the Carrese, sung in honor of St. Leo, are - on closer inspection – very pagan in their praising of Nature.

Another interpretation, this time more religious, to the use of oxen, is to read in the figure of the ox - the usual sacrificial victim since the pagan tradition - the figure of Christ portrayed in all its powerful gentleness with horns raised upwards, but still intended to be sacrificed.

Many are the interpretations given through the centuries to this ancient festival, always remained lively, boisterous, colorful, exciting and engaging. Every year many people attend the event, coming from far away, just excited in front of that "archaic collective prayer in honor of the Saint".