In Serra San Bruno, Calabria, there is the age-old tradition of “Coccalu di muortu.” After carving a pumpkin in the guise of a skull, the village’s boys wander the streets holding their creations, knocking on doors or asking people on the streets, “Mi lu pagati lu coccalu?” (Will you pay me for the skull?)
In many Sardinian villages, a very old tradition survives that sees children going from house to house to ask to do good for the souls of the dead by making gifts; they say ritual phrases such as “Mi ddas fait is animeddas?” (“Will you make the little souls?”)
