[2] The event is among the most important carnival traditions of the region and of Italy and it is unique in that participants wear costumes, or masks,[1][3] of bears, hermits, or lent.

[3][8] The carnival is organized by the town of Satriano di Lucania in collaboration with Al Parco and the Lucano Apennine National Park.

It kicks off with a parade of costumed people from Basilicata towns Teana, Cirigliano, Aliano, Montescaglioso, San Mauro Forte, Tricarico, and Lavello on Friday night, and concludes at Abbamonte square, where there are food stands and folk music.

[9] An allegorical parade with people wearing bear, hermit and lent costumes, as well as a wedding procession in which the bride and groom exchange roles, is conducted on Saturday.

During the carnival, reusable glasses are used, disposable tableware is banned, recycling is encouraged, seasonal foods are used, and promotional material is printed on Forest Stewardship Council paper.

It represents early citizens who emigrated to distant lands, made a fortune, and acquired symbols of wealth, like fine leathers.

[2] Italian director Michelangelo Frammartino filmed a greenery-clad hermit for a cine-installation Alberi (Trees) that shows the interdependence between man and nature.

Covered by a black cloak and walking was a cradle on their head containing a child conceived during the Carnival by an unknown father, represents the difficulty that widowed women endured in the past.