ANCIENT TRADES: THE CENCIAIOLO OR STRACCIVENDOLO

Unlike other “street vendors,” the cenciaiolo did not provide any labor services, but roamed the town collecting mainly: bones, iron, and rags.

He would arrive pushing a two-wheeled cart.

In exchange for the “scrap” material, he offered: thread, needles, thimbles, large or small combs, hair clips, soap, etc., which he kept in a basket.

When he passed by, he would shout:
.
Rags, bones, scraps.
If he passed by on Sunday:
.
Here comes the cenciaiolo on Sunday.

Children, when they saw him coming, would run from all sides to find something to give him. In return, they received sweets or the highly sought-after "cichi" marbles.

A kind contribution from Mariella of UILDM Sondrio: memories collected from her parents.