During the saint’s feast day a special exhibition is held in the Valdigne municipalities: the “Badoche” whose origins may date back to initiation celebrations typical of the early ethnic tribes, including the Celts.
The protagonists of the rite are a group of unmarried young men and women, dressed in traditional costumes. The first “badocher”, who leads the group, carries a plate decorated with flowers and ribbons, with a sweet or apple in the centre used to collect offerings, while another “badocher” carries the traditional halberd, a stick crowned with flowers and decorated with multicoloured ribbons, a symbol of power.
During the eve of the patron saint feast, the badoche brings merriment and accordion music into all of the town’s houses heralding the feast and collecting money, which was once used for the organisation itself, but is now donated to various associations in need of aid.
The traditional “balli di piazza” are held on the patron saint feast day where the badoche invites the population to dance according to a precise sequence. The patron saint feasts are completed with the set up of a temporary restaurant which proposes traditional Valle d’Aosta dishes and a pavilion for dancing.
- Patron saint of the village
- suitable for young and old
- popular tradition
- joy and music
