L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano A long Italy's Adri- atic coast, you'll f i n d a u n i q u e s e a s i d e c o n - s t r u c t i o n , the trabocchi (or trabuc- chi): they are a traditional type of fishing machine, pop- ular in the regions of Molise, Puglia, and especially Abruz- z o , s p e c i f i c a l l y a l o n g the Costa dei Trabocchi, a stretch of coastline between Ortona and Vasto. These tra- ditional fishing machines are pretty unique wooden struc- tures extending out over the water, and they have been used in the region for cen- turies. They are so important for locals and their heritage that they may soon become p a r t o f U N E S C O ' s W o r l d Heritage List. But what are they exactly? The origin of this inge- n i o u s s y s t e m o f f i s h i n g machines is shrouded in mys- tery and has been the subject of much debate among histo- r i a n s f o r d e c a d e s . S o m e attribute their invention to t h e a n c i e n t P h o e n i c i a n s , while others propose that tra- b o c c h i w e r e f i r s t u s e d b y French families who settled in Abruzzo after a devastating earthquake in 1627. Some even suggest that Abruzzo farmers, forced by necessity, developed the machines to eliminate the risks associated with fishing from boats. Despite the uncertain ori- gins of trabocchi, it is clear they have played a vital role in the history and culture of the Abruzzo region. Their earliest written record can be f o u n d i n t h e m a n u s c r i p t of Father Stefano Tira- b o s c h i , who, in the Vita S a n c t i s s i m i P e t r i Celestini, described the visits of Saint Peter Celestine to the Monastery of San Giovanni i n V e n e r e ( 1 2 4 0 – 1 2 4 3 ) , where he admired the sea dotted with trabocchi. The name "trabocco" itself has multiple proposed origins, w i t h s o m e s u g g e s t i n g i t comes from the word "tra- bocchetto," a type of fishing trap, while others claim it derives from the system of ropes used to control its fish- ing net. Trabocchi were originally built to allow for fishing with- out the need for boats, which was especially useful during t i m e s o f a d v e r s e w e a t h e r conditions. The fishing net, balanced on a system of large poles and ropes, would be submerged and then raised when a school of fish was spotted. Trabocchi were once crucial to the livelihoods of many families of fishermen along the Abruzzo coast, but a f t e r W o r l d W a r I I , t h e y began to fall out of use due to the introduction of new fish- ing techniques. However, in recent years, they have expe- rienced a revival as a unique tourist attraction, and they remain a distinctive symbol of the Abruzzo coast. These days, many trabocchi have been restored and converted into restaurants. Since 2010, Abruzzo's tra- bocchi have been protected by the Sangro Aventino Territorial Pact, which saw the signing of a protocol o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g f o r t h e s t u d y a n d p r o m o t i o n o f the Costa dei Trabocchi. The goal is to safeguard the tra- bocchi and make their story known to the wider public through the growth of slow, sustainable tourism. It is in this context that the V i a Verde dei Trabocchi, a 4 3 . 5 - m i l e c y c l e p a t h t h a t runs along the Adriatic coast i n A b r u z z o w a s c r e a t e d . T h e v i a t o u c h e s o n p i c - turesque fishing villages, beaches, and, of course, the iconic trabocchi structures, and it is a popular route for cyclists and hikers alike. Trabocchi have been nom- i n a t e d t o b e i n c l u d e d i n the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The proposal is a joint effort by various regions along the c o a s t , i n c l u d i n g P u g l i a , Abruzzo, Molise, and Emilia- Romagna: the nomination came about because traboc- chi are not only unique struc- tures but also emblematic of the local culture and tradi- tional way of life. The nomi- nation aims to safeguard and promote their cultural value and diversity, and to raise awareness of their impor- tance to the region. If suc- cessful, the trabocchi will join a list of intangible cultur- al heritage examples that includes traditional crafts, like Neapolitan pizza making, music (the canto a tenore in Sardinia), and special activi- t i e s ( t r u f f l e s e a r c h i n g ) , among other forms of cultur- al expression. I n the realm of lan- g u a g e , f e w w o r d s possess the nuanced grace of our word of t h e d a y , i n s i n - uare (een-see-noo-ah-rai), which we translate in Eng- lish as "to insinuate" or "to suggest." This verb traces its ori- g i n s b a c k t o t h e L a t i n verb insinuo, meaning "to introduce" or "slip in." Its etymology is also associated with the noun sinus, a word encompassing the notions of a curve, a fold, or a secluded bay, as well as the depths of one's innermost being. Insinuare is a somehow d a n g e r o u s w o r d : i t i s t h e equivalent of a subtle yet convincing suggestion. For instance, if I tell you, Sai, non sono convinto che il test di quello studente sia tutta farina del suo sacco ("You know, I'm not at all sure that student did the test all on their own"), I am strongly suggesting, but not openly saying, that a student may h a v e c h e a t e d o n s c h o o l work. And you could answer u s i n g t h e v e r b i n s i n u a r e itself, if you said: stai insin- u a n d o c h e a b b i a c o p i a - t o ? ( " A r e y o u s u g g e s t i n g t h e y c h e a t e d ? " ) , w h i c h shows perfectly both how we u s e t h e t e r m a n d i t s f u l l meaning. W h a t m a k e s t h e verb insinuare and also the noun insinuazione so power- f u l i s t h e i r s u b t l e t y . W e never use them to be blatant o r t o s t a t e s o m e t h i n g straight up to one's face: if we insinuiamo something, we want to influence you, to make you think about some- thing, but without being too open about it. Insinuare can be a very treacherous word if you think about the conse- quences it can lead to: if I say, ho visto tuo marito con la segretaria ieri sera ("I saw your husband with his secretary last night"), I may well be implying (or insinu- ating!) that there is some- t h i n g f i s h y g o i n g o n ! S o , when it comes to insinuare, r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e a c t o f d o i n g i t i s a c t u a l l y m o r e d a n g e r o u s t h a n t h e w o r d itself! Non credere a quello che senti dire di me, sono solo insinuazioni maligne! D o n ' t b e l i e v e w h a t y o u h e a r a b o u t m e , i t ' s o n l y malicious insinuations. Il prof ha insinuato che il mio saggio non fosse opera mia. My teacher insinuated I didn't write the essay myself. Non provare neanche ad insinuare che mi tradisca! Don't even try to insinu- ate he is cheating on me! LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE Insinuare: the elegant art of suggesting What do you know about "trabocchi"? The trabocco in Marina di San Vito Chietino, along the Costa dei Trabocchi (Photo Walter Cicchetti/Dreamstime) (Photo: Waverbreakmedia/Dreamstime)

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