Introduction to Sicilian Gestures

Update: We have developed an app with 81 Sicilian gestures! See the note at the end of this post.

Imagine you’re on a trip in Sicily ...

Your friend, a native Sicilian, invites you for a coffee in a bar. After a while you’re leaving together and your friend seems to be very amused. Why? What has happened during your short coffee break? He explains: „With gestures and glances everyone in the bar wondered who you are, asked where you came from, if we’re related, etc. Moreover, I caught the newest gossip about love affairs, disputes, etc. Whoever is familiar with the nuances of body language understands a situation as being sympathetic or suspect within the blink of an eye.

Why so many gestures in Sicily?

It’s difficult to say exactly when and how Sicilian body language has developed. One reason might be found in Siciliy’s dynamic history and its geographical position in the Mediterranean. During the past More...