Paper short abstract:

Explore Sicilian heritage through the Regional Ethnographic Museum, a testament to Giuseppe Pitrè's vision. This contribution highlights the significance of artifacts as guardians of collective memory, resisting cultural neglect and preserving the traditions of less privileged classes.

Paper long abstract:

The Sicilian Regional Ethnographic Museum, founded in 1910 by Giuseppe Pitrè, stands as a testament to his two-decade-long exploration and collection of artifacts, utensils, and ornaments reflecting the material and moral life of the Sicilian people. Pitrè's foresight, driven by the awareness that modernity's progress could irreversibly alter Sicilian traditions, led to the establishment of the museum. He recognized that the inevitable transformation in customs and institutions posed a threat to the preservation of collective memory.

The significance of safeguarding items such as ox horn glasses, strummuli (traditional toys), ovu di magaria (magical tool), purcidduzzi dimari, petri di lu purpu (pottery), and agrarian tools from the turn of the century is twofold. Beyond serving as evocative historical documentation in ethnographic museums, these artifacts play a crucial role in preventing the potential erasure of historical memory. Giuseppe Pitrè's vision was rooted not only in the inherent value of the items themselves but also in the imperative to resist the cultural hegemony that could lead to the neglect of the traditions of the less privileged classes.

The artefacts housed in ethnographic museums, particularly the Sicilian Ethnographic Museum, carry a unique cultural heritage, representing a tangible legacy of recent history that demands study and remembrance. Gesualdo Bufalino aptly described objects as the best allies of memory—shadows of the past that evoke memories and emotions. In this way, the museum stands as a guardian of Sicilian heritage, ensuring that the rich tapestry of its traditions remains a living part of our collective consciousness.