This Is Italy
It is a tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages. In the village of Prizzi, close to Palermo in Sicily, a bizarre ritual takes place on Easter Sunday. Locals wear red suits and terrifying metal masks. They represent devils and are accompanied by a figure in a yellow suit, who must represent Death himself. It is the annual 'dance of the devils'.
In a devilish procession they pass through the village, grabbing bystanders and releasing them in exchange for money and candy. The aim is of course to tempt as many souls as possible to go to hell.
In the afternoon, Death and his devils face competition when the Virgin Mary and the Risen Christ, accompanied by angels with swords, get involved. Then the actual 'dance of the devils' (in Sicilian: 'u ballu di diavuli') takes place, in which the red devils and Death try to avoid confrontation with the good.
In the end, good prevails: the angels manage to defeat the devils.
Who has ever been to this event or any other Italian event with pagan characteristics at Easter?
Source: prolocohippanaprizzi.it
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