Fuochista

As a nation state, Italy has emerged only in 1871. Until then the country was politically divided into a large number of independant cities, provinces and islands. The currently available evidences point out to a dominant Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultural influence on today's Italians.
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nrepole
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Fuochista

Post by nrepole »

I was looking through records (from the 1830s) of Rapone, a small town in Potenza, Basilicata and I noticed the profession of Fuochista on a couple of occasions. Now, I have checked and I think it means 'fireman', and I am just wondering if these small towns would have had firemen (as we know them today) - it just seems strange. The majority of people were farmers, while in town there were barbers, shoemakers, tailors, bakers, midwives, carpenters, innkeepers etc So, Fuochista - a fireman, or maybe someone who supplied wood for fires??

Any ideas?

Regards,
Nick
PeterTimber
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Re: Fuochista

Post by PeterTimber »

The direct occupation in english would be "stoker" or somoone who tends to and stokes a fire. Since it is in an agericulutral area the thought comes to mind that it may relate to someone who stokes a fire in the making of charcoal, bricks, tiles etc etc. =Peter=
~Peter~
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nrepole
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Re: Fuochista

Post by nrepole »

Thanks Peter

Your suggestion does make a little more sense.

Nick
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