The Dances

Gl' Ingress (The Entrance)

This is a parade displaying the dancers' costumes which have been faithfully reproduced from traditional models dating back from the last century by local expert tailors. On their feet they wear 'ciocie' which derives from the word 'Ciociaria' the region where they come from.

Gl' Alber' de Magg' (The May's Tree)

This is a dance celebrating the blossom of nature in May. Ribbons are bound around the pole by the dancers who interweave and dance around it.

I Nastri (Ribbons)

This is one of the most complex dances which involves a sequence of weaves using coloured ribbons in order to create a star. This dance was a harvest dance as well as for religious festivities of the area.

Le Mazze (The Maces)

This is a very spectacular dance where the dancers use sticks which are used to stimulate the beating of the grain as well as representing a courtship dance.

La Ballarella

This is the dance which closes the show and it is also the most characteristic dance of our region.

The folk group "Cominia Gens" is made up of 16 dancers and 8 musicians who play traditional instruments such as the zampogna, barrel organ, accordian, tamburine, ocarina, recorder, mandolin and double base.
The dances and music of the group represent the folklore tradition of the Comino Valley, in central Italy.
'Cominia Gens' researched their repertoire directly from the inhabitants of the area.
The main inspiration for the dances in this region is usually the changes of the seasons and the result of this on the land and fields which have been worked on.
There was dancing and music also when there were local festivities and the following images show some of the more important moments of the 'Cominia Gens' show.