The Walking Forest: unusual Carnival with men dressed as trees

In the Eighties, Satriano became the capital of the murals of the Mezzogiorno, for the presence of more than 500 murals scattered on the walls of the historic center.

On Sunday, the Rumìtas, dressed as trees, leave the forest and arrive in the village. While they wander the streets, they knock on people’s house with the frùscio. According to tradition, this ceremony brings luck and Rumitas receive, in exchange, food and gifts.

Satriano Carnival’s Walking Forestis symbolically composed by 131 walking trees, which represent the 131 towns of Basilicata. The event is organized by the association Al Parco in collaboration with Satriano’s Municipality, the National Park of Apennine Lucano, APT Basilicata, associations, volunteers and private corporates.

Everybody can participate in the event by dressing up as a tree and becoming a Rumita for a day and transmittingan ecological message: to restore an old relationship with the Earth to respect the future generations.