They cannot really be musical instruments to be carried around in a band: they are approximately two meters long, completely made of wood, considerably heavy and adorned with colorful hand decorations.
The name is onomatopoeic: they are called "batatocs", they are traditional instruments used in the small and isolated town of Claut (Pordenone) in the Valcellina, played on the occasion of the Via Crucis on Good Friday (and perhaps also other occasions).
In essence they are gigantic "rattlesnakes" or "tree frogs", otherwise called "trictracs".
From 3pm on Friday until Saturday night, in Claut the time will be beat by the touches amplified by the large wooden sound box and by a roller which, by rotating, makes the wooden protrusions set in it beat.
A bit as if there were numerous drums playing at the same time.
According to local experts, this sound represents the noise of the spears and drums that accompanied Jesus to the crucifixion up to Calvary.
The streets of Claut will be transformed into an open-air stage.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA