Gnaga
{{Short description|Cat-faced mask from Venice}}
{{distinguish|Nāga}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=February 2025}}
File:Venezia-Carnevale-Gnaga Mask.jpg in 2010]]
The gnaga is a type of mask originating in Venice. The mask depicts the face of a cat and was historically worn by male prostitutes and cross-dressers, particularly during the Carnival of Venice. The mask covers the top half of the face and is traditionally made of papier-mâché.
Etymology
The word {{lang|vec|gnaga}} derives from {{lang|vec|gnau}}, a Venetian-language onomatopoeia representing the meow of a cat.{{Cite web |title=The Gnaga: the essence of transgression |url=https://www.camacana.com/en-UK/the-gnaga.php |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.camacana.com |language=en-UK |archive-date=2024-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622115332/https://www.camacana.com/en-UK/the-gnaga.php |url-status=live }} People that wear the gnaga are known as {{lang|ve|gnaghe}}.{{Cite web |title=What you need to know about Venetian Masks |url=https://www.carnival-in-venice.eu/venetian-carnival-masks.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Carnival in Venice |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131042909/https://www.carnival-in-venice.eu/venetian-carnival-masks.html |url-status=live }}
History
During the 16th century in the Republic of Venice, homosexuality was illegal and punishable by death by hanging and burning in Piazza San Marco. However, Venetian law stipulated that people could not be arrested for crimes committed while performing as a masked character during the Carnival of Venice.{{Cite web |last=Braidwood |first=Ella |date=2019-11-08 |title=The Complicated History Of LGBTQ Venice |url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/venice/articles/the-complicated-history-of-lgbtq-venice |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Culture Trip |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Venetian Masks |url=https://unit-21.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Venetian-Masks-Booklet.pdf |website=UNIT 21 - Bartlett School of Architecture |access-date=2025-01-31 |archive-date=2024-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626050830/https://unit-21.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Venetian-Masks-Booklet.pdf |url-status=live }} According to local legend, male homosexual prostitutes wore cat masks and performed as women to avoid arrest for their sexuality. Gnaga performers often wore dresses and carried baskets of kittens with them.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-14 |title=Venice Carnival Costumes: history and characters |url=https://www.veniceinsiderguide.com/venice-carnival-costumes-history-and-characters/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Venice Insider Guide |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131044225/https://www.veniceinsiderguide.com/venice-carnival-costumes-history-and-characters/ |url-status=live }} Occasionally they pretended to be nannies and carried real babies.{{Cite web |title=Gnaga {{!}} Giovanni Grevembroch {{!}} Venice Carnival Masks |url=https://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/gnaga.html |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.delpiano.com |archive-date=2024-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415055122/https://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/gnaga.html |url-status=live }}
According to a popular story, male prostitutes were greatly popular in Venice, even outcompeting female prostitutes.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-02 |title=Maschere a Venezia |url=https://gbacg.org/finery/maschere-a-venezia/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=GBACG - the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131044224/https://gbacg.org/finery/maschere-a-venezia/ |url-status=live }} It is said that in 1511, the Venetian government changed the law to allow female prostitutes to publicly display their breasts from balconies, in order to better compete with homosexuals. This change is said to have led to the naming of Ponte delle Tette ({{literally|Bridge of Bosoms}}) and Fondamenta delle Tette ({{literally|Bosom Street}}).
The gnaga mask continues to be worn at the Carnival of Venice by men dressed as women.{{Cite web |last=Karsten |first=Matthew |date=2021-02-07 |title=Venice Carnival: 20 Magical Photos From Italy's Famous Festival |url=https://expertvagabond.com/venice-carnival/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Expert Vagabond |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106075744/https://expertvagabond.com/venice-carnival/ |url-status=live }} Wearers of the mask sometimes carry a basket containing a cat, and meow at passers-by.{{Cite web |date=2013-01-31 |title=Carnival of Venice: history and meaning of the different types of Venetian masks |url=https://slowitaly.yourguidetoitaly.com/2013/01/carnival-of-venice-types-of-venetian-masks/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Slow Italy |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Venice Carnival's Most Typical Masks and Costumes |url=https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/venice-carnivals-most-typical-masks-and-costumes |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=ITALY Magazine |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241103233647/https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/venice-carnivals-most-typical-masks-and-costumes |url-status=live }}