The Navel of Sicily....Enna

Right in the center of the island of Sicily, sits the town of Enna

The view from the highest point in Enna

Enna's neighbor to the north, Calascibetta originally founded by the Arabs when they were present here in Sicily.  The word "cala" in arabic means "fort" in Arabic.

Why Enna, you ask?  My friend from Viterbo, Mario (Yvonne's bf) grew up here in Enna and invited us down.

You like artichokes?  They grow along side the road in this part of the world.

The big event we were invited down for?  The procession of the town's confraternities.  More about this in a moment.

On the evening before Good Friday, each of the town's church's is open to the public.

They hold ceremonies, such as the reenactment of the last supper

On the afternoon of Good Friday, things are being put into place, such as "Roman Torches"...I remember Roman Candles as a type of firework we used to set off when we were kids.

Then all around town, the confraternities (or MALE members of the many churches around town) get dressed in the gowns (each has a different color)....

and don their cappucinis (hoods...and yes, you're seeing that right)

At 7PM, the first of the 16 confraternities in town begins the 1.5km procession.....to escort Jesus to the cemetery.

This is a religious event....the American group that shall not be named, took this religious gear and turned it political.

The oldest confraternity 1261...the most recent in 2011

Each carries some item...some were obvious as to what they signified, other were not.

As daylight waned, the torches were lit and the whole procession took on an even more somber tone.

I have to admit, that for the first 20 minutes, I simply was unable to look at the hoods and NOT feel the outrage that most American's would because of what it means to us.

Unlike most parades which as joyous and loud, this procession had NO music (except at the beginning and end, and that had no drums).  The procession was done in silence.

Only one confraternity had point hoods.

After seeing the first 8 or so confraternities pass by the near the beginning, we all hopped over to the other side of town, but along the way, we saw these guys setting up a cross of candles.

They also had this great projection of Jesus being carried.

The second to the last confraternity gets to carry Jesus into the cemetery...

...and the last confraternity carries the Madonna.

Mario, Yvonne, Agnieska (Yvonne's friend from Chicago), Jadzia, myself and Nadia (Agnieska's daughter)

Posing with members of the St. Anna confraternity.