Racing

Racing has always been a way for men to challenge both their opponents and their own limits. For this reason, races are popular and diverse.

From racing with amphorae, a female game, to racing with barrels, typical of areas of ancient wine-making tradition. All these games involve using as less time as possible on a given track.

In Italy there are many variants of racing games, usually associated with rural life and farming.  Very often, these games is played on occasion of celebrations for the Patron Saint, becoming small ' Palios '.

Historical Background

Racing has always been a necessity for man, both for hunting and escaping from danger.

This practice has always had a playful character, however, and was used both as an educational tool for children, and as training for the militias.

Seneca reportedly used to run every day with his  slave Trout, who often let him win.

Indigenous populations, such as the Payacù ethnic group, in the Amazon, also organized several competitions consisting in carrying wooden logs through the forest. For the men of these tribes it is a way to demonstrate their physical strength.


Game Communities

Corsa con le Botti, Macerata Campania (Caserta), Campania

Corsa con la Cannata, Arpino (Frosinone), Lazio

Tella, Prunetto (Cuneo), Piemonte


Foto: Corsa con le botti