European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 28, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Nuts my withering snakes and a statue of St. Dominic re the Centrepieces of the Cocullo ritual. By Jerry m. Ireland the town of Cocullo deep in the heart of Italy s Abruzzo Region rarely attracts . In fact there a e no hotels no restaurants and Only one bar m the Small vill eve a on Timur say in May thousands of people travel from All Over the country to the town s Only Square where they Are met by hundreds of  snakes. Yes that s right snakes. The people and the snakes gather on  Day for the annual festival of St. Dominic. A As they wait for the noon mass to begin they en0y showing their Faith in the protective Powers of St. Runic protector against snakebite Toothache and hydrophobia by draping dozens of these a Lohery rept is both poisonous and non poisonous around their necks. Most of the snakes Are brought to the ceremony by Separi or professional Snake handlers. But everyone from Small children to the elderly takes part in this Quot the annual ceremony goes Back to of the romans All the Way to the ancient Marsi tribe. The Marsi were known for their supernatural Powers As witches wizards and Snake charmers. Their influence on the Region lasts to this Day in both the names of the local towns and on the people who Are often highly superstitious. Many residents Wear charms to protect them from the evil Eye and Many firmly believe in the existence o werewolves. The legend of the Separi which literally Means Quot Serpent men Quot or Quot Serpent lists Quot has its roots in the Marsi. It was believed that they were immune to the poisonous venom of snakes and that they had the Power to heal those who were not. When catholicism came to the Region the Pagan ritual of the Separi became incorporated into the religion. So it is that at noon on that special Day in May a procession begins from the Chapel on the Square. It is led by a Man dressed in a regional costume balancing a Large Basket of bread on his head As an offering. He is followed by the town priest carrying what is believed to be the tooth of St. Dominic removed by the Saint himself and left to the town. _ then comes the statue of St. Dominic borne by six men and accompanied by five girls in traditional dress. When the procession arrives outside the Church the statue is lowered to the ground and the Separi place their snakes Over the statue to be blessed. The statue now covered with dozens of snakes is paraded to every Corner of the town occasionally stopping to allow people to attach 1,000 lira notes to the base As an offering. The procession takes about 45 minutes before returning to the Chapel where the mass is completed away from the eyes of the curious . During the festival All the roads into town Are lined with merchants Selling a wide variety of goods and food. Among the delicacies is Porchetta a whole pig roasted with its head intact sliced thinly and sold As sandwiches on thick bread Rolls. Remember there Are no restaurants in town so think twice before passing these up. To get to Cocullo take Autostrada a-24 East from Rome and then a-25 South to the Scanno exit. From there follow the signs to the town about six Miles farther. Hotel accommodations Are available in the nearby town of Culmona. Photographers mate second class Jerry Ireland is assigned to the sixth Fleet Public affairs office in Gaeta Italy stripes Magazine May 28, 1992 photos by Jerry m. Ireland Parola left and Agnese Rondoni both residents of Cocullo join in grasping snakes As the blessed statue and procession pass by. From left Al Esnardo Jordani demonstrates his Faith in St. Dominic Irene Aguzzi one of the professional Separi in attendance with a handful of snakes the statue of St. Dominic makes it Way through town. May 28, stripes Magazine