Summary:
Describes Italian culture including norms, values, beliefs and institutions. Discusses the diversity of culture in Italy. Expresses pride in having Italian heritage.
Italian culture has a rich history that includes art, classic architecture, music, popular traditions and customs. Many people who visit Italy are somewhat surprised by the diversity of the dialects, cuisines, architecture, and craftsmanship.
My father, Giuseppe, now deceased, was born in Sannicandro, province of Bari, Italy (Region: Puglia, - southern agricultural area near the Adriatic coast). My mother is of Italian descent and both her parents were born in Italy. I have always been proud that I am the son of an Italian immigrant and feel that my Italian heritage has helped me to develop my character and my work ethic.
I was named after my grandfather, Alessandro. There is an older custom in Italy that determines how children are named. The first male is named after the paternal grandfather and the second male is named after his maternal grandfather. This custom is quite different when compared to our American tradition. Parents today select a name for their newborn based on choice, preference and popularity. All children are pampered in Italy, but males are treated like royalty.
Italians are generally friendly, warm, hospitable people who are fun loving and enjoy sharing the pleasures of life with family, friends and neighbors. They laugh, argue, shout and use hand gestures to emphasize a point. They enjoy strong family ties, and family pride and solid family values are paramount. There is a common Italian proverb "una giornata senza riso e una giornata sprecata." which means, "A day without laughter is a wasted day." Throughout the various towns, people seem to spend a lot of their time greeting and talking with friends and having coffee at a sidewalk café. Strangers are met with a handshake, but family and friends receive a hug, and kiss on both cheeks.
Italian is the official language in Italy, although dialects differ from town to town. Dialects have remained prevalent in Italy because its mountainous terrain has helped isolate one region from another. My father spoke the standard Italian outside the home and the regional dialect at home. Unfortunately, my dialect leaves a lot to be desired, but I can certainly understand and follow a conversation well. Italians use gestures more abundantly and imaginatively than other people during conversations, especially in the south. I would often tease my father and tell him "You talk without saying a word" Americans, however are more reserved in using hand gestures.
Leisure time is very important to Italians. For recreation Italians enjoy going to the beach countryside, movies, opera, or sporting events. Soccer is by far the most popular sport and teams wear the colors of their home city's flag - a way of expressing regional loyalty.
Italians love to eat and are passionate about their food. Italian food is also popular outside of Italy. Pasta and pizza in particular, have become popular around the world. Rather than a national cuisine, Italian food is regional. People prefer to use ingredients found in their particular region, and every region has developed its own culinary specialties. While dishes may vary from region to region, and sometimes from family to family within the same region, there are many dishes that are common throughout Italy. Italians traditionally eat their main meal at midday. They take a long nap (several hours) and then go back to work. Dinner is eaten from around 7 P.M. to 10:00 pm. or later.
My family got together on holidays and religious celebrations. What made these occasions memorable was the opportunity to talk with loved ones and enjoy the special foods. Christmas Eve dinner consisted largely of fish- as many as seven different varieties such as "capitone" (eel) and "baccala" (dried cod). Easter had its typical specialties such as lamb, and orecchiette (homemade pasta). Wine and coffee (expresso or cappuccino) were served along with the fruit and sweets. Desserts such as "torrone" (nougat), ricotta pie (cheese cake) and cannoli" (biscuit stuffed with ricotta) were exceptionally good.
In Italy there is a legend or tradition involving a Witch named "Befana" On the night of January 6th (Twelfth night or the eve of the Epiphany or Little Christmas), Befana leaves presents in children's stockings hung upon the hearth or in their shoes placed at the door. This is a tradition very much like Santa Claus associated with Christmas in America.
Most Italians are Roman Catholic, although many neglect religious devotion. For Italian Catholics, St. Anthony (June 13th) is the patron saint of lost things and the faithful pray to him and hope that whatever they have lost will be found. March 19th is the feast day of St. Joseph and is considered to be Father's Day in Italy. Italians celebrate these feast days with a procession, which is a reminder of their Italian heritage and faith. In the procession the statue is paraded through the streets, joined by religious leaders, government officials, and bands. As a family we always participated in the feasts of St. Gerard, (St. Lucy's Church, Newark), San Gennaro (New York), and St. Anthony (Kearny). Afterward we would eat on the picnic grounds and enjoy the good food, especially the "zeppoli."
I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Italy during my summer vacations and see first hand many of the beautiful sites. My father took great pride in showing me the sites of his hometown, Sannicandro and the well-known cities of Bari, Rome, and Venice. The landscape of the small towns, the serene hills, olive groves and vineyards are a beautiful sight. Bari, an exceptionally clean city, has tree-lined boulevards, waterfront promenades, fountains, open cafes, and smart shopping streets. The Basilica di San Nicola and the Church of San Gregorio are exceptionally beautiful. The arts in Italy have had a long and glorious history and Italians are very proud of this. There are monuments, archaeological sites, cathedrals, and statues, all of which have a major historical significance.
Opera is highly regarded in Italy and almost every town has its own opera house. Well known composers include Verdi and Puccini. Andrea Bocelli, and Luciano Pavarotti, are but of few of the best opera tenors. Dancing is also an important component of Italian culture. The Tarantella is the most recognized song and dance of all the Italian folklore music. The Tarantella is often played at weddings and is the theme song of many restaurants and pizzerias.
Italy's economy is based on agriculture in the south and industry in the north. Small and medium sized businesses in the north are a strong driving force in the economy. Italy is one of the world's largest wine producers and a major producer of cheese. Other important crops include grapes, vegetables olives and almonds. The euro is the currency used.
Some slang designations are always intended to be cruel or to mock. Some of the most popular of all slurs used in the US to refer to people of Italian decent are "Wop," "Guinea," and "Guido." I was very much offended when I would hear some classmates, and teenagers in shopping malls and restaurants use these distasteful slurs. I felt I was not accepted by my peers and considered myself as an "outsider." One incident that stands out vividly in my mind is when my grandmother told me that she had to go to school to speak to the teacher to stop this type of behavior. Apparently my aunt, who at the time was attending elementary school, was constantly being abused with being called a "Guinea" and "Wop." Fortunately, nowadays people are more tolerant of other customs and more politically correct. Therefore they are not as likely to call people by these derogatory names.
The media frequently portrays Italian Americans unfavorably and stereotypes them as criminals and connected to the "Mafia." Shows like the "Sopranos" and Godfather series are vulgar, violent and degrading. These shows suggest that the characteristic of "gangster" represents the majority of Italian Americans. No one benefits from an exaggerated exposure to negative Italian-American stereotypes. Most Americans of Italian descent are hard working, honest and law abiding citizens.
My father left me a unique heritage that I will always cherish. I only hope that some day I will be able to share these rich customs and traditions with my own children.
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