Cattafi Carnival 'A Màschira

A traditional carnival in the heart of the Mela Valley

The Cattafi Carnival 'A Màschira is the signature carnival celebration of Cattafi, a village within the municipality of San Filippo del Mela, in the province of Messina. Far from the massive allegorical floats, this is a carnival of popular tradition: a costumed re-enactment rooted in local history that today stands as a symbol of identity for the Mela Valley in Sicily.

The legend of 1544 and the Scacciuni

The tradition recalls the events of 1544, when—according to local memory—the Messina coast was ravaged by Turkish pirate raids. The farmers of Cattafi, led by Baron Antonio Balsamo, armed themselves with their work tools and repelled the invaders. To commemorate that victory, the inhabitants began wearing the uniforms of the defeated enemies, which were kept as trophies, thus giving rise to the figure of the Scacciuni.

The Scacciuni are the heart of the festival: they wear tall conical hats adorned with colorful ribbons, embroidered jackets with multicolored fabric strips, long stockings, and white gloves, while brandishing the nèrbo, a type of braided whip. Dancing in odd numbers to the whirlwind rhythm of the tarantella, they form a circle around 'A Màschira and the flower girl to protect them, symbolically re-enacting the defense of their community.

The parade and traditional figures

The parade features a full historical costume procession led by the figure of Baron Antonio Balsamo. Alongside the Scacciuni, traditional figures such as 'a dama (the lady), the fioraia (flower girl), the maschiredde (young performers), and the buffone (jester) march through the streets. The dances are accompanied by musicians playing traditional Sicilian folk instruments: the marranzano (jew's harp), tambourine, and flute.

Regional and national recognition

The Cattafi Carnival has been inscribed in the Registry of Intangible Heritage and included in the 2026-2027 Sicilian Regional Calendar of Major Events, a recognition that facilitates its promotion at national and international tourism fairs where Sicily is represented. The event is organized by the cultural association 'A Màschira, and the group has been invited to represent Sicily beyond regional borders, even reaching St. Mark's Square in Venice.

San Filippo del Mela and the Mela Valley

San Filippo del Mela is a small municipality in the province of Messina overlooking the Tyrrhenian side of Sicily, between Milazzo and Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto. The village of Cattafi proudly preserves this festival, which every year attracts curious visitors, folklore enthusiasts, and guest groups from other regions and abroad, turning the village streets into a stage of living history.