Sicilian cunto: Sicily’s epic tradition that continues to enchant
Imagine a Sicilian square at sunset. The chatter slowly fades, and a man stands at its center. His gaze is intense, his gestures deliberate, and his voice seems to sculpt words in the air. That man is a cuntista, a storyteller who, through the Sicilian cunto, transforms history into magic. But the cunto is not merely a tale, it’s an ancient art form, a tradition that weaves words, rhythm, expression, and soul. Sicilian Secrets takes you on a journey into this world of words and emotions.
The term cuntu comes from the Sicilian dialect, meaning ‘story’, but the Sicilian cunto is far more than simple narration. It embodies an intricate, ancient form of art that blends words, rhythm, body language, and mimicry. The cuntista doesn’t just tell stories, he performs them, bringing epic, chivalric characters to life through precise meter, animated gestures, and facial expressions that define each figure. This tradition is rooted in Sicily’s popular fascination with the paladins of the Carolingian cycle, legendary heroes who have captivated generations of Sicilians.
It is said that this very passion inspired the birth of l’arte dei pupi (the art of puppetry), another cornerstone of Sicilian culture. According to scholar Di Palma, “The cunto is, above all, a piece of the vast fresco of Sicilian popular culture. If it also preserves elements of the medieval world, it only adds to the depth of this tradition”. The Sicilian cunto, therefore, acts as a bridge between past and present, a symbol of cultural continuity.
The ancient origins of the cunto
The origins of the Sicilian cunto date back to the Middle Ages, though reconstructing its history is challenging due to limited written records. In his study of 19th-century Italian literature, Adolf Gaspary describes cuntastorie (storytellers) as narrators who entertained crowds in streets and squares with epic-chivalric tales, using vocal modulation similar to recitative singing. Sicilian cuntastorie have carried this tradition through the centuries, and even in the 14th and 15th centuries, they were central to spreading epic stories, as evidenced by fragmentary records and local chronicles. In Phenomenology of Popular Song, Paolo Toschi connects cuntisti to medieval jesters and minstrels, emphasizing their vital role in Italy’s public squares and courts. In Sicily, as elsewhere, these performers were fixtures at markets, fairs, and even prestigious settings.
The evolution of the cunto in the 18th and 19th centuries
Di Palma suggests that the Sicilian cunto solidified as a tradition between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, though its roots likely extend even further back. By the 19th century, the cunto was thriving: famed Sicilian ethnologist Giuseppe Pitrè documented approximately forty professional cuntisti across the island, with eighteen concentrated in Palermo alone. During this period, cuntisti began to distinguish themselves as either professionals or amateurs, a distinction that influenced the perception and practice of the cunto for decades to come.
With the rise of literacy and the spread of books, cuntisti expanded their repertoires to include new tales, such as those of the bandit Musolino or the Beati Paoli. However, this evolution also sparked tensions between traditional epic-chivalric narratives and modern stories, creating friction between cuntisti and puppeteers (pupari), who viewed amateur storytellers as a threat to the purity of the art.
Ramon and the revival of the cunto
A key figure in the modern history of the Sicilian cunto is Ramon, a young man who learned the art while incarcerated at Ucciardone prison in the early 20th century. Illiterate but gifted with a sharp memory and intuition, Ramon combined the knowledge he gained in prison with stories learned from Palermo’s shoemakers, living repositories of Sicilian folklore. After World War II, Ramon became a pivotal figure in the Sicilian cunto’s resurgence, passing his craft on to diverse audiences and future masters like Celano, who considered Ramon the true guardian of the oral tradition.
Mimmo Cuticchio: the contemporary master
Following Celano’s death, Mimmo Cuticchio took up the mantle of the cunto, transforming it from street performance into a refined theatrical art. Cuticchio masterfully merged the worlds of pupari and cuntastorie, bringing the cunto to theater stages while innovating its techniques. One of his signature elements is the use of a sword as a stage prop, a symbol of chivalric tradition and a tool for focus. Cuticchio also modernized the performance by eliminating the traditional chant and slow pacing, favoring a fluid, dynamic narration that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Among his most renowned performances are adaptations of epic poems such as Orlando Furioso, which Cuticchio narrates with a freshness that captivates both local and international audiences. His legacy extends beyond the stage, many aspiring cuntisti have honed their skills in the workshops and schools founded by Cuticchio, ensuring the tradition remains alive.
The cunto today: tradition and innovation
Today, the art of the Sicilian cunto continues to evolve through performers like Salvo Piparo, Gaetano Lo Monaco, and others who blend traditional techniques with modern elements. Piparo, for example, views the cunto as more than a declamatory technique, it’s a deeply personal expression rooted in memory and improvisation. “The cunto is something under your skin”, Piparo says. “It’s not just technique; it’s the need to tell a story that emerges naturally, through your hands, eyes, and breath”. This underscores the cunto’s unique nature: it cannot be standardized or imitated. Each cuntista must find their voice, honoring tradition while allowing space for individuality.
A tradition poised for the future?
The future of the Sicilian cunto remains uncertain. Yet, this art form has proven remarkably adaptable over the centuries. Today, new cuntisti continue to emerge, experimenting and revitalizing the craft. The cunto is also finding new applications in education and tourism, some storytellers conduct workshops in Sicilian schools to introduce younger generations to the tradition, while others collaborate with tour guides to offer immersive cultural experiences to visitors.
As Luigi Burruano once said: “Without a leash”. The cunto is creative freedom, passion made word, a living tradition that embodies the spirit of Sicily and its ancient storytellers. Whether in theaters or on the streets, the Sicilian cuntocontinues to weave tales, bridging past and present, and leaving future generations to decide its fate.
