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# 62 • June 12 , 2015
The high rock defended by
Samnite walls still oversees
the ancient paths of flocks, the
ways of grass that go down
following the natural conformation of these places.
Sheep tracks disappeared as
well as the system of social relationships that the slow gait
of herds allowed.
Today, just the flavours of bread, oil, cheese and the last fires of civilization and pastoral
farming remain; especially on
the Christmas night when the
day is shorter but hope grows.
The name
The village first was called Loretinum (XII century); the name
changed in Ratino (XV century), then it became Loratino
and finally Oratino. The origins
of this word are still unknown.
According to the parish priest
of the early twentieth century
the place name has the Greek
root or- from which the Latin
word Oratenus, meaning first
"visible from everywhere" and
then "panoramic point”, derived.
The product
Legumes. Chickpeas and chickling vetches are the main
ingredients with the wheat of
the “Lessate”, the recipe that
is cooked on the churchyard
on January 17, while bonfire
burns in honour of Sant’Antonio Abate.
WE THE ITALIANS | 35
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