Oliveto May and Patronal Feast of Saint Cyprian

The Tree Rite of the Lucanian Dolomites

The Oliveto May is one of the great tree rites of Basilicata, celebrated every year in Oliveto Lucano, a small village of about five hundred inhabitants in the Province of Matera, immersed in the territory of the Lucanian Dolomites and the Gallipoli Cognato forest. The rite takes place on the occasion of the patronal feast of Saint Cyprian, from August 10 to 12, and is recognized as Lucanian intangible cultural heritage.

The Marriage of the Trees

At the heart of the rite is the symbolic marriage between two trees: the Maggio, a large oak that represents the groom, and the Cima, a lush holly that represents the bride. The two trees are cut in the Gallipoli Cognato forest and transported to the village, where they meet at Piano di Torcigliano for their "first encounter". Once united, the Maggio is erected in the center of the village, and the bravest young men attempt the traditional tree climbing, the culminating and spectacular moment of the feast.

Saint Cyprian and the Community

The rite is intertwined with the religious rites of the patronal feast of Saint Cyprian, with the procession of the saint through the village streets. The days are accompanied by songs, dances, popular music, and the flavors of the Lucanian tradition, in an atmosphere of choral participation in which the entire community of Oliveto Lucano recognizes itself. It is a tradition that generations pass down with pride, preserving an ancient heritage linked to the land and the forest.

An Authentic Basilicata Experience

Witnessing the Oliveto May means coming into contact with the deepest and most archaic Basilicata, that of tree cults that span centuries. The village, nestled among the woods of the Gallipoli Cognato Park and the Lucanian Little Dolomites, also offers naturalistic views and the opportunity to explore one of the most suggestive territories in the region.