Described with precision by the pen of Carlo Levi in his “Christ Stopped at Eboli,” these masks are the result of the skilled craftsmanship of local artisans. They evoke demonic figures, and in ancient times, their function was to exorcise the hardships and poverty suffered by the community through forms of collective gathering. The brightly colored headdresses that adorn them soften the sinister expression that characterizes them. The carnival celebrations that take place in many towns in Basilicata are an important piece of the precious mosaic of traditions that make Basilicata a culturally diverse land. Its location in the heart of Southern Italy has historically made it a crossroads of various currents and influences, which over time have merged to give rise to entirely original identity expressions.