I Giorni della 'Nzegna

The 'Nzegna tradition in Carovigno

In Carovigno, in the province of Brindisi and the heart of Upper Salento, the 'Nzegna flag-waving is much more than a performance: it is the very soul of the community. The 'Nzegna is a flag made of multicolored fabric triangles arranged around a square, featuring a ten-petaled flower, the mystical rose. The term comes from the local dialect and literally means «ensign» or «standard». Considered one of the oldest Marian-linked flag-waving traditions in Italy, the ritual has been documented in texts since 1715.

What is I Giorni della 'Nzegna

I Giorni della 'Nzegna is a cultural festival established in 2020 as part of the Puglia Region's Extraordinary Program for Culture and Entertainment, curated by the 'Nzegna Cultural Board together with the 'Nzegna Flag-wavers and Battitori Group. The event brings together exhibitions, conferences, performances, and activities that enhance the year's highlight: the flag-waving ritual in the days following Easter.

How the ritual works

The tradition takes place on Easter Monday and Tuesday, as well as the following Saturday. Two battitori (flag-wavers) spin large flags around their bodies to the rhythm of ancient music played by drums and clarions. Three bass drum beats signal the advance towards the center of the square, where the flag-wavers bow before the effigy of the Madonna di Belvedere before tossing the banners into the air as a sign of prayer and thanksgiving.

The legend and the locations

The tradition is rooted in the cult of the Madonna of Belvedere, whose image is kept in a Basilian-style crypt on the hill of the same name, a few kilometers from the town. Legend tells of a shepherd who, finding a heifer kneeling before the fresco of the Virgin in the cave, celebrated by tying a colorful handkerchief to a stick and tossing it into the air: a gesture re-enacted every year for centuries. The ritual brings the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Belvedere and the streets and squares of Carovigno's historic center to life, overlooked by the 17th-century Castello Dentice di Frasso.

A symbol of Puglian identity

Recognized as a bastion of Puglian folk culture, the 'Nzegna attracts locals, returning emigrants, and visitors every year. The festival also features sporting and competitive events related to the world of flag-waving, with the Italian Flag-wavers Federation (F.I.S.B.) hosting groups from all over Central and Southern Italy in Carovigno. A living heritage that the Municipality of Carovigno and the Puglia Region continue to protect and promote.