TRADITIONS, HABITS & CUSTOMS

To Understand people one must try to appreciate their history.  The People of Molfetta are characterised by a combination of different races of people who settled in the area over time.  Notwithstanding this diversity there are three things that contribute to the Molfetesi (people of Molfetta): history, dialect and traditional feasts.  With such a rich cultural history then, it is difficult not to be attached to the 'old ways' of Molfetta when partaking in Molfetese cultural activities.

The Molfetesi love to eat fresh seafood.  Since the middle ages, Molfetesi fishermen have steered their fishing boats towards the waters of Dalmatia, Greece, Tunis and the Mediterranean Sea.  At the end of the fishing day as the boats returned, people would make their way to the wharf where the fish would be sol.  This still happens today- the CIAMBOTT is still an essential part of the diet of the people of Molfetta.

Geography also plays an important part in Molfetese culture.  Consistent with the constant interaction between religion and culture, many of these geographical features contributing to the culture are of religious importance, such as the churches (left) and the Basilica (right).