Sant'Andrea Ionio Holy Week bullroarer

At Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, on the Calabrian coast, the bullroarer served the church. From the Mass of Maundy Thursday to the Gloria of Holy Saturday the bells were bound, and in their silence the rombo called the faithful to the services, struck midday, and sounded the Ave — the whirled slat standing in, three days a year, as the town's bell.

I fedeli vengono invitati col rombo a recarsi in chiesa … col rombo si da pure il segnale del mezzogiorno e dell'Ave.

The faithful are summoned to church with the rombo … with the rombo the signal is also given for midday and for the Ave.

Dr. Nicodemo Giovinazzo, 25 Aug. 1954 (Tucci 1969, p. 377 n. 22)

Particulars

Object

Light terminal-holed slats on one loose cord, used in numbers through the town during the Triduum.