The "I Tammura di Girgenti" cultural band association, strongly supported by the tenacity and devotion of President Biagio Licata, was founded in Agrigento in 2008 during the celebrations of San Calogero, a Black Saint highly venerated in Sicily. The connection between the Saint and the "tammurinara" (Sicilian dialect expression) dates back to the 5th century.
It is said that a hunter named Arcadio, while hunting, took with him a drummer to flush hares from their burrows. He accidentally killed a deer with an arrow shot from his bow, an animal whose milk San Calogero fed on. In fact, after 40 days, on June 18, 561, on Mount Kronio in Sciacca, at the age of 95, the Saint died because he had nothing left to eat.
Since the inception of the liturgical feast, every year during the celebrations of San Calogero, the group has played a key role in history and tradition.
A particular performance that distinguishes the group is the "Diana" (named after the goddess of the hunt), which sees the head drummer placed at the center, marking incessant rhythms for all the other members. A blend of sounds closely linked to the Saint, among them the "Raspa," which represents the sound made by the striking of the drumsticks when the arrow is released.
The association has passed down this centuries-old tradition from generation to generation, from father to son.
Today, there are approximately 80 members, all male, between the ages of 5 and 60.
UAMPA APS (Italy)
