Lu “Bov Fint”

Offida Carnival is mostly characterized by the feast of Lu Bov Fint (dialect name for a fake ox) during which a fictitious bull, which once was alive, is driven by two people who lead it through the streets of the city followed by a crowd of running people wearing the guazzarò or bullfighter cloth. The bull is made of a wooden frame and is covered with a white and red cloth. This is a very ancient tradition recalling the bullfights brought by the Spanish dominion. Notwithstanding time, this feast still holds its profound feature of folk inspiration. It takes place on the Friday before Lent starting in the afternoon from Cappuccini quarter to arrive in Piazza del Popolo. Several refreshing stopovers when one eats and drinks are spread along the way. After arriving in the square during the evening, the bull is slaughtered in front of the town hall and then carried away while people sing Addio Ninetta Addio, an old traditional song. Furthermore, lu bov fint takes place in a smaller scale to get involved the children of the local primary school on the same Friday afternoon as above.