Festival_of_the_snake-catchers
Festival of the snake-catchers
Annual festival held in Cocullo, Italy
The Festival of the snake catchers (or snake-charmers) (Festa dei Serpari di Cocullo) is an annual festival held on May 1 in Cocullo, Italy in honour of St. Dominic di Sora, patron saint protecting against snakebite and toothache.[1] Its origins date back to paganism and have roots in an ancient celebration in honour of the Roman goddess Angitia.[2] The festival involves a procession carrying the statue of St. Dominic, draped with live snakes, through the streets of the village.