Since our arrival in Naples a week ago, the traditional presepi (nativity scenes) have been appearing throughout the city. Every church displays one or more tableaus which can be very small or big and grand. There are three components to presepi: one, when the shepherds are told that Christ has been born; two, the scene in the manger which is always set in a grotto; and three, the tavern in which there was no room for Mary and Joseph and where secular life continues in all of its vivacity. These three scenes, ranging from the sacred to the profane, are arranged in a pre-formed "set," much like the model theatre sets I used to build in college.
The presepi in these photos came to life in our hotel yesterday. The figures are particularly fine--they have terra cotta heads and appendages with cloth/straw bodies (the oldest presepi are carved wooden figures). We discovered the Christ child hidden on a ledge in the grotto awaiting his cue to join the others on December 25!
The Shepherds (one fast asleep)
The Manger (minus the baby, for now)
The Tavern (unaware of the momentous event in the grotto)
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