The baìe

There are many traditions that contribute to forming the cultural identity of the Stura Valley, traditions that have existed for centuries, that are handed down from generation to generation, but that are also characterized by breakages and metamorphosis. This is the case, for example, of the “Baìe”, “associations, groups of young people who had the task, sometimes officially recognized, of organizing traditional festive time”. Sambuco is the town of the Stura Valley where Baìa tradition has been handed down for longer. Documented since 1718, there were two editions after World War II (1951 and 1961). After 50 years of interruption, the Baìa was then resumed in 2001 and now its re-enactment take place every year on 28th August, on the patronal feast of Saint Giuliano. It is an exclusively male group organized according to a precise hierarchy, whose main figures are the “Abà”, Lieutenant “Abà” amd the “Portainsegne”. Baìa participates in religious services following precise rules of conduct.
(More information about the ancient tradition can be found at the Valley Documentation Centre, in Sambuco, where a permanent exhibition is set up that collects testimonies, photographic documents, objects, costumes, manuscripts, volumes related to the “Baìa dal Sambuc”.)

Even in Festiona, a hamlet of the district of Demonte, the re-enactment of the Baìa takes place every year, which accompanies the feast of Saint Magno, protector of the cattle.