Áudio tour Procession of Comelico Superiore

MATAZIN AND LACHE' (Dosoledo)
The group of archaic masks is led by Matazin and Laché, two equal figures in brightly colored (regal) robes, adorned with light-colored veils and colored ribbons. They carry a tall cane made annually, abundantly adorned with precious stones, pearls, mirrors, and gold—elements that evoke light and the new spring. These elements were once collected from families to whom they were returned at the end of the festival. They hold the scepter of command in one hand and in the other, sweets to offer to onlookers. They wear gentle-sounding bells and must constantly keep moving, walking or dancing with each other. They leap and face each other during the dance, and this coupling is their most significant gesture. In the square, the "Mata" also dance with the women in the audience to bring fertility and sometimes accept the invitation of a man who is more ambitious for good fortune.

PAIAZI
The Matazins travel escorted by clowns who smear onlookers with ash and control them with their sticks. The clown plays a key role in the Masquerade, preventing anyone from reaching the Matazin.

MATAZERE
Over the past half century, new characters have been added to the 'Mata' procession to satisfy the desire for greater female representation; the new characters were first played by men and then directly by the 'conscripts'. The Matazine are the female version of the Matazin, while the Matazère are dark representations of the same masks. The Matazèra is the symbol of misery, poverty, and all that has been and must disappear to make way for the new and the beautiful; it is a figure opposite to the Matazìn, of which it is a complementary symbol in a representation of the world dominated by the vital forces of Good and Evil. The Matazèra mask has a regular shape and a dark color, as are the clothes and all other objects worn.

The group of archaic characters travels separately from the rest of the procession and the group of musicians, the inevitable co-protagonists of the masquerade, known as "La Musica."

In the Upper Comelico area, each town has its own traditional characters, similar in function and name but different in small details, created to preserve the spirit of the local community. As is right, each town believes its own is better and more "original." This is true in Casamazzagno, Candide, and Padola. But even in the Lower Comelico area, they don't want to be outdone.