La kalimera di Lazzaro: Varianti testuali siculo-arbëreshe

Abstract

This kalimera forms part of an ancient pagan rite of agricultural fertility, which due to syncretism is conserved in the paraliturgical practices still existing in the Arbëresh communities in southern Italy.Belonging to the cycle of commemoration of the dead, Lazarus’ Saturday is the second of the four Saturdays (the first is that of the carnival – in Alb. E shtuna e shpirtravet), during which participants sing the ballad of Constantine and Doruntina; the second Saturday, as mentioned, is that of the Resurrection of Lazarus, featuring liturgical hymns known as the hymns of the Holy Week; the third is the Saturday on the Easter’s Eve when the bells were untied; the fourth Saturday is that of the Pentecost, in Alb. E shtunia e shalës, (Christi rosalia), during which the famous song Moj e bukura More was performed, chiming in the approaching of the Spring and that of the Great Era (in Alb. Moti i madh)The essay to which a second part is being written, reconstructs and displays handwritten and typewritten traditions witnessing different stages of how the cult of Lazarus was conveyed over the centuries through different elaboration of the lyrics. It especially reflects certain peculiarities of the elaboration and adaptation of a pagan tradition, considered as heretical by bishops, to the official one based on the Holy Gospel.