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San Domenico is the patron saint of Cocullo and protecter against tooth eache and bites.
The rite begins in March, when the "serpari" (snake catchers) catch wild snakes in the surrounding woods.
At midday the procession begins. The "serpari" place their snakes on the wooden statue of San Domenico after it was taken out of the church.
The "serpari" catch mainly four types of local harmless snakes: four-lined, aesculapian, grass and green whip snakes.
The statue of San Domenico is carried in procession through the streets of the medieval village.
After the patron saint celebration, the snakes are released out into the wild.
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