The forgotten craft of the Godwit

At least once in your life you can hear them say to you: << Don't be a godwit! >>.

The origin of the term is linked to a typical figure of the social landscape in the last centuries of the Serenissima. The same figure, then, was also present in the Maritime Republic of Genoa. It was a person paid to follow those who had a defaulting debt. The constant stalking was accompanied by moans, screams and moans. The godwit, in fact, was solitary complaining and screaming relentlessly, following the unfortunate debtor. Thanks to the pressure and public humiliation, the debtor was forced to settle his bills. The godwit, in fact, was immediately recognized: dressed in red, she made everyone know of the debt, increasing the embarrassment of the shadowing. The godwit had, therefore, both a social and a moral role.

Such a figure belonged to the ranks of the marginalized, the destitute people. The Doge had developed a social assistance system for which he provided, to those in need, special canteens and hostels. In exchange for these favors, the assisted had to lend themselves to the role of godwit, considered a real profession at the time. To protect these miserable individuals who carried out one of the most annoying jobs that history remembers, there was a whole system well thought out; in fact, if the stalked had caused damage to the godwit, he would have been convicted. In this way, the accounts were settled and the name of the Republic was kept high. The defaulting debtors were discouraged and the economic system protected. It was therefore a question of an all-round system, inserted in the Venetian social structure.

That profession was destined to end up in oblivion, after the twilight of the Serenissima, whose sumptuous legacies invite us to discover, to experience what the Venetian Brotherhood was and its remote spirit, a product that we want to share with you.

DISCOVER MORE