This is my absolute favorite village tradition, Scampanata. It was talked about in a history of the village written in the 1600s and described even then as an ancient tradition. The Scampanata only happens here, in our village of 6000ish people. Every five years, during the month of May, those who volunteer need to sign in at a booth in the village square by 6am on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday of the month.
And if you are late, or don’t show up, a fate worse than what my subconscious could conjure as a punishment for oversleeping awaits.
This morning I heard the distinctive sound of Scampanata from my window (still safely in bed), and knew that they had caught a victim.
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