Unit 2 Festivals and Celebrations Getting started
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Reading I (page 18)
Battle of the Oranges
All I can see is a flash of orange, then I am hit in the chest. It knocks my breath away. I slide backwards, fall bum-first in a pile of orange mush. What the heck? I touch my head: my red hat is still there.
During Carnival, official public notices are plastered on the walls around Ivrea, ordering people, especially tourists, to wear a red hat. Or else they can be considered a ‘fair target for gentle and moderate orange-throwing’.
The red hat people are ordered to wear is not just any hat. The berretto frigio, a sock- shaped hat sold on every street corner, is the symbol of the carnival itself. It is a symbol of freedom; worn in Roman times by freed slaves, during the Middle Ages it was on the heads of peasants rioting against feudal lords.
Back on my feet, I make sure my hat is on, and visible. I want to get another look, but soon I am hit again. On my forehead. My head jerks back, I wipe my face, oh my goodness, it’s blood! I am going to need stitches, maybe it’s a concussion?
Then I remember blood oranges.
Shivering from the quick succession of shock and relief, I retreat to the back of the square, away from any flying fruit. This is the first of three yearly battles; everybody is fresh and excited from a year-long wait. Nine teams of aranceri (orange-throwers) on foot, wearing uniforms, hurl oranges at their opponents on horse-drawn carriages, clad in
Doctor Whoesque costumes with padded shoulders and leather-covered cylindrical helmets. An hour into the battle, the square is covered in a thick sludge, mixture of orange pulp and horse manure. It smells sharp, sweet-and-sour.
Aranceri on foot rush back and forth, to the sides of the square stacked with orange crates, filling their shoulder bags and baggy tops. As soon as a cart approaches, they charge, bombarding it with oranges. Horses halt, for a few minutes; oranges explode, then the cart takes off again, the aranceri chase it for a while, hurling the last of their supplies. They wear no protection, and walk around with their hair caked in orange bits, juice running down their faces. Some have broken noses, some clutch a side of their face, arms or ribs. They held their heads high, shouting their team’s war cries.
“This is the moment we wait for all year” says Silvia, holding an orange cut in half on her right eye. “I’ll be happy to have a black eye tomorrow.”
She sits with me, sipping a glass of mulled wine. “I think carnival is good for our psychological health. During these three days I can let it all out, all the frustrations I have built up during the year. After I feel refreshed. Of course, accidents happen” she adds, pushing the orange on her swollen eye. “But you should try, it’s good for you”.
I am curious to know what it feels, I admit. I keep thinking I am wearing a hat, and the public not supposed to join in the battle. Even so, that doesn’t seem to stop hat-wearers from throwing the occasional orange. To prevent further trouble, volunteers advise the public to stay behind protective nets.
“Forget the nets” says Massi, an arancere of the Morte team, with a gigantic skull on the back of his orange-stained uniform. “If you want to live the carnival, you have to be in the middle of the battle.”
“Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt?”
Massi laughs. “If you compare the risk to the rush you get, a black eye is a small price to pay.”
He fills his top with oranges. A cart is approaching. “Come on, throw your red hat away and come with me”.
I am tempted, but I decline.
A. Match the words with their meanings:
a. mush | iii. a soft thick mass of mixture |
b. jerk | v. to make something move with a sudden short sharp movement |
c. concussion | vi. a temporary loss of consciousness |
d. hurl | i. to throw something violently in a particular direction |
e. pulp | vii. the soft part inside the fruits and vegetables |
f. clutch | ii. to hold something tightly |
g. sip | iv. to drink something, taking a very small amount each time |
A. Write True' for true statements and False for false ones.
a. The tourists are informed to wear a red hat through public notices. True |
b. Aranceri seem dressed in Doctor Whoesque costumes. True |
c. When a cart approaches, aranceri run away from the square. False |
d. The narrator feels bored during the festival period. False |
e. The volunteers encourage the visitors to join the battle. False |
f. The narrator accepts Massi's offer. False |
Battle of Oranges Question Answer
A. Answer the following questions.
a. What does the red hat symbolize? |
The red hat symbolizes freedom and is a tradition (परम्परा) during the carnival. |
b. How does the narrator feel when she wipes her face? |
The narrator feels shocked and relieved (चिन्ता मुक्त) when she wipes her face and realizes the blood is actually from the blood oranges. |
c. What does the square look like after an hour-battle of the oranges? |
After an hour-long battle, the square is covered in a thick sludge (फोहोर) of orange pulp and horse manure (मल). |
d. How do aranceri members chase the cart? |
Aranceri members chase (भगाउनु) the cart by running after it and hurling (हान्नु) the last of their orange supplies at it. |
e. Does Silvia enjoy this carnival? Why? |
Yes, Silvia enjoys this carnival because she feels it allows her to release (मुक्ति दिनु) built-up frustrations (निराशाहरू) and feels refreshed afterward. |
f. Why does Massi say, "Forget the nets"? |
Massi says, "Forget the nets" because he believes to truly experience the carnival, one must be in the middle of the battle and embrace (ग्रहण गर्नु) the rush (भीड), even if it means risking getting hurt. |
Battle of Orange Word Meaning
Word |
flash /flæʃ/ |
burst, flicker, glimmer, sparkle |
a quick and bright burst of light or color |
knocks /nɑks/ |
strikes, hits, pounds, thumps |
hits forcefully, causing a sudden impact or blow |
bum-first /bʌm fɜrst/ |
bottom-first, buttocks-first |
falling or landing with the buttocks hitting the ground first |
pile /paɪl/ |
heap, stack, mound, collection |
a group or mound of things placed on top of each other |
mush /mʌʃ/ |
pulp, paste, mushiness |
a soft, wet, and pulpy substance |
heck /hɛk/ |
hell, darn, gosh, goodness |
an exclamation used to express surprise, annoyance, or frustration |
plastered /ˈplæstərd/ |
covered, adorned, pasted, affixed |
placed or stuck firmly on a surface |
considered /kənˈsɪdərd/ |
regarded, thought of, deemed, seen as |
thought of or viewed in a particular way |
berretto /bəˈrɛtoʊ/ |
hat, cap, headgear |
a type of hat or cap |
frigio /ˈfriːdʒi.oʊ/ |
Phrygian, cone-shaped, sock-like |
resembling or associated with the Phrygians, an ancient people known for wearing cone-shaped hats; in this context, it refers to a specific type of hat shape |
symbol /ˈsɪmbəl/ |
representation, emblem, sign, token |
something that represents or stands for something else |
concussion /kənˈkʌʃən/ |
head injury, brain trauma, knock to the head |
a temporary loss of normal brain function caused by a blow or jolt to the head |
shivering /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/ |
trembling, shaking, quivering, shuddering |
experiencing involuntary movements or tremors, usually due to cold, fear, or excitement |
succession /səkˈsɛʃən/ |
sequence, series, order, progression |
a series of events or things that follow one after another |
retreat /rɪˈtrit/ |
withdraw, pull back, move away, back off |
move back or away from a place or situation |
aranceri /ˌærənˈsɛri/ |
orange-throwers, citrus hurlers |
individuals who participate in throwing oranges |
hurl /hɜrl/ |
throw, launch, fling, propel |
throw or propel with force |
opponents /əˈpoʊnənts/ |
rivals, adversaries, competitors |
individuals or teams that are competing against each other |
clad /klæd/ |
dressed, attired, outfitted, robed |
wearing specified clothing or garments |
costumes /ˈkɑstjumz/ |
outfits, attire, clothing, garments |
clothing or attire worn as part of a specific character or theme |
padded /ˈpædɪd/ |
cushioned, filled, stuffed, lined |
having soft material added inside for extra protection or comfort |
sludge /slʌdʒ/ |
muck, mud, goo, sediment |
thick, sticky, and semi-solid substance |
pulp /pʌlp/ |
mush, paste, soft substance, fibrous matter |
soft, moist, and mashed-up substance |
manure /məˈnjʊr/ |
dung, fertilizer, waste, excrement |
animal waste used as fertilizer |
rush /rʌʃ/ |
dash, sprint, hurry, dart |
move quickly and with haste |
stacked /stækt/ |
piled, arranged, organized, heaped |
arranged or placed in a neat and orderly pile |
crates /kreɪts/ |
boxes, containers, chests, bins |
rigid containers used for transporting or storing goods |
baggy-tops /ˈbæɡi-tɑps/ |
loose-fitting shirts, oversized tops |
loose and oversized shirts or tops |
bombarding /bɑmˈbɑrdɪŋ/ |
attacking, assaulting, bombarding with |
attacking or bombarding with a large number of objects or projectiles |
explode /ɪkˈsploʊd/ |
burst, blow up, detonate, shatter |
burst or shatter violently with a loud noise and release energy or fragments |
caked /keɪkt/ |
covered, coated, encrusted, layered |
covered or layered with a thick or solid substance |
bits /bɪts/ |
pieces, fragments, small parts |
small and broken pieces |
clutch /klʌtʃ/ |
grab, seize, grasp, hold onto |
grip or hold tightly |
ribs /rɪbz/ |
bones, cage, framework, skeletal structure |
the curved bones that surround and protect the chest cavity |
tempted /ˈtɛmptɪd/ |
enticed, lured, attracted, allured |
strongly attracted or inclined to do something |
swollen /ˈswoʊlən/ |
puffy, enlarged, inflamed, bloated |
abnormally expanded or enlarged, typically due to fluid retention or inflammation |
sipping /ˈsɪpɪŋ/ |
drinking, taking small sips, tasting |
drinking slowly or taking small sips |
mulled /mʌld/ |
spiced, flavored, heated, infused |
heated and flavored with spices, typically used to describe wine or cider |
frustrations /frʌsˈtreɪʃənz/ |
annoyances, irritations, disappointments |
feelings of annoyance, irritation, or disappointment |
curious /ˈkjʊriəs/ |
inquisitive, interested, eager, intrigued |
having a strong desire to know or learn something |
admit /ədˈmɪt/ |
acknowledge, confess, accept, own up |
confess or acknowledge something to be true |
protective /prəˈtɛktɪv/ |
safeguarding, defensive, shielding |
providing or intended to provide protection or defense |
gigantic /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/ |
enormous, colossal, massive, huge |
extremely large or enormous in size |
skull /skʌl/ |
cranium, head, bone structure, braincase |
the bony structure that forms the head and protects the brain |
orange-stained /ˈɔrɪndʒ steɪnd/ |
discolored by orange, tinted with orange |
having a color or appearance that is affected or tinted by orange |
decline /dɪˈklaɪn/ |
refuse, reject, say no, turn down |
politely refuse or reject an offer or invitation |
Extra Questions to Practice
What is the purpose of wearing a red hat during the carnival?
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Answer: Wearing a red hat symbolizes being part of the carnival and protects you from getting hit by oranges.
How does the narrator feel when she gets hit in the chest with an orange?
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Answer: The narrator feels breathless (स्वाँस्वाँ हुनु) and slides backward into a pile of orange mush.
Why is the berretto frigio hat significant during the carnival?
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Answer: The berretto frigio hat is a symbol of freedom (स्वतन्त्रता) and has historical importance.
What does the square look like after the battle of oranges?
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Answer: The square becomes covered in a mixture of orange pulp and horse manure, creating a thick sludge (फोहोर).
How do aranceri on foot gather oranges for the battle?
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Answer: Aranceri rush to the sides of the square where orange crates are stacked (थुप्रो लगाउनु), filling their bags and tops with oranges.
Why do aranceri on foot charge at the horse-drawn carriages?
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Answer: They charge at the carriages to bombard (गोला बरसाउनु) them with oranges and disrupt (अबरोध) their movement.
What does Silvia think about the carnival?
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Answer: Silvia believes the carnival is good for mental well-being (भलाई/हित) as it allows her to release built-up frustrations.
Why does Silvia have an orange on her swollen eye?
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Answer: Silvia puts an orange on her swollen eye as a way to alleviate (कम गर्नु) the pain and bruising (चोट).
What precaution (सावधानी ) do volunteers give to the public during the battle?
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Answer: Volunteers advise the public to stay behind protective (रक्षात्मक) nets to avoid getting hit by oranges.
Why does Massi say, "Forget the nets"?
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Answer: Massi believes that to truly experience the carnival, one must be in the middle of the battle and embrace (ग्रहण गर्नु) the rush, even if there is a risk of getting hurt.
What happens to the aranceri members during the battle?
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Answer: Aranceri members get hit by oranges and can end up with broken noses or injuries (चोटहरू) but continue to participate with pride.
How does the square smell during the battle?
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Answer: The square smells sharp, sweet-and-sour due to the mixture of orange pulp and horse manure (मल).
Why do aranceri members walk around with their hair caked in orange bits?
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Answer: Aranceri members don't wear protection, and oranges thrown during the battle may burst (फुट्नु), causing orange bits (सानो अंश) to stick (अड्किनु) to their hair and faces.
What is Silvia drinking while sitting with the narrator?
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Answer: Silvia is sipping a glass of mulled (चिनी वा मसलासँग तताइएको) wine while talking with the narrator.
What is Silvia's perspective on getting hurt during the carnival?
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Answer: Silvia thinks that getting hurt, such as having a black eye, is worth (महत्व) it for the experience and enjoyment of the carnival.
What does the narrator feel tempted to do during the battle?
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Answer: The narrator feels tempted (आकर्षित हुनु) to join the battle and throw oranges, despite wearing a red hat and not being a part of the official aranceri teams.
How does the narrator describe the orange-stained uniform of Massi?
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Answer: The narrator describes Massi's uniform as covered in oranges and having a gigantic (धेरै ठूलो) skull (मस्तिक) on the back.
How does the narrator feel after being hit by an orange?
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Answer: The narrator feels shocked and worried, thinking they might need stitches (टाँका लगाउनु) or have a concussion (मस्तिष्क घात).
What do the official public notices in Ivrea order people to do during the carnival?
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Answer: The notices order people, especially tourists, to wear a red hat or else they can be considered (मानिन्छ) a target for orange-throwing.
Why is the narrator worried about their injury during the battle?
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Answer: The narrator is worried (चिन्तित) because they see blood on their face and think they may need stitches or have a concussion (मस्तिष्क घात).
How do aranceri on foot react when a cart approaches during the battle?
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Answer: Aranceri charge at the cart, bombarding it with oranges and causing the horses to halt (रोक्नु) for a few minutes.
Why does Silvia say she will be happy to have a black eye tomorrow?
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Answer: Silvia sees having a black eye as a sign of fully participating in the carnival and enjoying its spirit (भाव).
How does the narrator describe the orange-stained uniform of Massi?
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Answer: The narrator describes Massi's uniform as being covered in oranges and having a gigantic (विशाल) skull on the back.
Why does the narrator feel tempted to join the battle?
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Answer: The narrator is curious (उत्सुक) and tempted to experience the excitement and adrenaline of the battle, even though they're not supposed to participate.
Why does Massi believe a black eye is a small price to pay?
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Answer: Massi believes that the thrilling experience of the carnival outweighs (भन्दा बढी हुन्छ) the risk of getting hurt.