Il rapporto tra gerarchie ecclesiastiche e devozione popolare in Calabria. Un resoconto etnografico e qualche considerazione

The paper is based on an ethnomusicological field research carried out in Calabria and dedicated to pilgrimages, processions and patron saint festivals. This context has revealed the existence of a complex relationship between the Church and music and dance behavior characterizing the traditional folk devotion rooted in the ancient rural culture. These behaviors seem to resist the opposition of the Church, especially where the presence of the criminal activities and the cultural influence of the ‘ndrangheta organization appears to be stronger. According to the author, the identification of folk devotion with criminal behavior and culture might be misleading. The recent struggle that the Church, State and mass media undertook against folk devotion, merely considered as a demonstration of ‘ndrangheta’s cultural power, can turn out to be vain and counterproductive.