The sound of the whip in Romagna
During fairs and folk festivals, one may come across an unmistakable spectacle: that of the s-ciucarèn, the whip players who, in time with the music, make the air vibrate with their cracks. What has today become a recognized sport—with competitions up to world level—has ancient roots deeply embedded in the rural traditions of Romagna.
Originally, the whip was not intended for entertainment: it was the tool farmers used to guide oxen during plowing. With the arrival of motorized agricultural machinery, the figure of the s-ciucarèn disappeared from the fields, but not from the squares: there, the whip was transformed into art, becoming an integral part of folk festivals thanks to the perfect coordination of rhythm and movements.
One of the most renowned families in this tradition is the Cassani family of Solarolo. Angelo, the patriarch, in the 1930s used the whip to accompany the horses of the cart drivers and, upon returning from work, to communicate with his wife from a distance through recognizable cracks, like a code. As he grew older, he brought this instrument from the streets to village festivals: first with the town band, then with dance orchestras. In the 1980s, he involved his children as well, transforming what had once been a daily necessity into a group capable of performing throughout Romagna. Since then, the whip has accompanied not only polkas and mazurkas but also new forms of folk music and choreographed performances.
How is a whip made?
Behind that sharp, surprising crack lies an object crafted with care. The handle is often made from hackberry wood, strong yet flexible, while the core is fashioned from natural fibers. To the hemp or leather cord a nylon thread is attached which, moving at an astonishing speed, breaks the sound barrier—this is why the noise is so loud.
There is no need to strike the ground to produce the characteristic “crack”: it is the tip of the whip, traveling at over 1,200 km/h, that creates the snap which today lies at the heart of a unique and fascinating Romagnol tradition.
Source: faenzaondemand.it
