The mysterious Janare are a constant presence in the folklore and legends of Campania. With their covered faces and their nocturnal rituals, these female figures with magical powers have their roots in ancient pagan beliefs. In the modern era the myth of the Janare continues to hover like an aura of mystery in the collective imagination of Campania, between reality and fantasy. This short article explores the origins, legends and meanings of one of the most fascinating phenomena of Southern popular culture. The Janare are figures with blurred contours that emerge from the rich folklore of Campania. Their name derives from the Latin "Dianae", in reference to the pagan cult of the goddess Diana, divinity of hunting and the Moon.
According to popular tradition, they were women who at night, when darkness fell, gathered in isolated places to perform mysterious magical rites and exercise supernatural powers. Wrapped in long dark cloaks and with their faces hidden by a veil, they wandered in the woods and countryside dancing in circles around bonfires. Popular beliefs attributed to them abilities such as flying riding fairy brooms, predicting the future, preparing filters and healing potions with medicinal herbs.
In some darker versions, they were considered real witches dedicated to black magic and necromancy. Symbol of a mysterious and elusive femininity, the figure of Janara has its roots in an archaic past and re-emerges cyclically in the imagination of Southern Italy.
The legends of the Janare
Numerous legends and popular beliefs revolve around the figure of the Janare in Campania folklore.
One of the best known tells of how they were women magically transformed into birds, who at night regained human form to dance at crossroads. It was believed that their nocturnal gatherings were used to prepare concoctions and potions, but also for sabbats and orgiastic rites.
Another legend has it that the Janare possessed the gift of foresight and that on full moon nights they flew over the roofs of houses to announce imminent misfortunes and misfortunes with their moans.
Then there are those who describe them as benign spirits, protectors of the harvest and dispensers of precious gifts for children. While other versions have them as fearsome witches who kidnapped newborns to use them in their spells.
These and many other stories have fueled the aura of mystery around the Janare for centuries, contributing to making them ambiguous creatures, both benevolent and evil, often feared by common people.
Le Janare today
Despite the passing of the centuries, the Janare maintain an aura of mystery and a strong hold on the popular imagination of Campania. Legends and superstitions linked to their nocturnal presence survive in many rural areas. Some women are still believed to possess the same supernatural powers as them.
The figure of Janara has inspired numerous contemporary literary, cinematographic and artistic works. Among these, the film "Solo Fantasmi" in which Cristian de Sica stars, there is a Janara, the graphic novel Le Janare by Stefano Caselli and many detective novels and thrillers set in Campania. There are also references to the Janare in music, theater and even video games.
Timeless symbol of female empowerment, the Janare remain alive in the southern imagination, ready to periodically re-emerge from the darkness of the night to re-enchant with mystery the lands they once traveled.
