What are the traditional masks of Naples and Campania?

Who isn’t familiar with Pulcinella, with his nasal voice, black mask and quick wit?

In Naples, where theatre is part of everyday life, traditional masks are far more than simple Carnival costumes, they are true reflections of the people, capturing their flaws, cleverness and remarkable humanity.

These characters, with their humour and folk wisdom, tell stories that reveal the vices and virtues of an entire region.

Pulcinella: the symbol of Naples

Pulcinella is undoubtedly the most iconic mask of Campania, dating back to the seventeenth century and closely linked to the tradition of the Commedia dell’Arte. Dressed entirely in white, with a pointed hat and a black mask covering his face, he embodies a mix of contradictions: lazy yet sharp-witted, gluttonous yet wise.

A servant who refuses to serve, a comic rebel who always finds a way out of trouble, Pulcinella perfectly captures the Neapolitan spirit: the art of making do with a smile.

Tartaglia: the stammering bourgeois

Among Naples’s other traditional characters is Tartaglia, typically portrayed as a middle-aged man, smartly dressed, wearing spectacles and marked by a pronounced stutter. Sometimes a notary, sometimes a doctor, he is both awkward and astute.

Tartaglia represents the aspiring middle class, those eager to appear respectable but often betrayed by their own quirks and pretensions.

Scaramuccia: the vain swordsman

Scaramuccia (or Scaramouche) is an elegant figure, dressed as a dashing swordsman with a flowing cloak and a feathered hat. He delights in boasting, recounting heroic exploits (often of his own invention) and showing off at every opportunity.

He is the quintessential braggart (all swagger and no courage) quick to run away at the first sign of danger. Yet, despite his vanity, he never fails to make people laugh and even manages to inspire a touch of fondness.

Coviello: the chatterbox of the people

Less famous but deeply rooted in folk tradition is Coviello, the talkative, clever and mischievous servant.

He is often portrayed as a friend or partner-in-crime of Punchinella, sharing his sharp wit and his love of mocking the “gentlefolk” whenever he gets the chance.

Other masks and folkloric figures from Campania

Although less known on a national scale, several local characters are tied to traditional festivals and rituals. The Cicci Bacco, also known as ’O Carnevale, appears in various towns across Campania, such as Montemarano (Avellino) and Palma Campania (Naples). This figure embodies Carnival itself, often depicted as a bloated, drunken old man who is eventually “put on trial” and “burnt”, symbolising the end of Carnival and the arrival of Lent.

There are also other rural masquerades and age-old rituals of peasant or pagan origin, particularly in the Irpinia and Sannio areas, involving zoomorphic masks, cowbells, black veils and wild costumes. These celebrations are linked to the expulsion of winter and to fertility cults, echoing the ancient rhythms of the agricultural calendar.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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