First Female Number One Capo Paranza

2024

First Female Number One Capo Paranza follows Megan Zangaglia’s historic role as the first woman to serve as Number One Capo Paranza within the Giglio tradition, leading the Giglio Society of East Harlem in New York City. The Number One Capo Paranza is the ceremonial leader who directs the lifters responsible for carrying and maneuvering the Giglio, a structure that can reach 75–85 feet in some builds and weighs approximately 6,000–8,000 pounds, during the annual feast held in devotion to a patron saint.

Established by Italian immigrant families, the Giglio Feast continues through ritual labor, hierarchy, and communal obligation. The work stays close to Megan as she prepares, takes command, and directs lifters in a role long reserved for men. Her leadership shifts the society’s leadership tradition, while the ceremony and responsibilities remain the same.

Megan Zangaglia, the first female Number One Capo Paranza, is serenaded by the “Voice of the Giglio” Jimmy Alleva and Danny Vecchiano’s Giglio Band during the passing of the cane ceremony.

Megan Zangaglia receives the ceremonial cane, symbolizing her authority as Number One Capo Paranza. The cane serves as the instrument through which she directs the lifting and movement of the Giglio.

Number one Capo Paranza, Megan Zangaglia, commanding a women-led lift of the Giglio. The East Harlem Giglio Society is the only Society that allows women to touch and lift the Giglio.

Number One Capo Paranza Megan Zangaglia commands a women-led lift of the Giglio, issuing lift commands in Italian through a microphone. The East Harlem Giglio Society is the only Giglio Society that permits women to touch and lift the Giglio, reflecting its evolving leadership structure.

Number One Capo Paranza, Megan Zangaglia rallies the lifters as her father, John Zangaglia, guides the Giglio to the front of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem.

Number One Capo Paranza Megan Zangaglia rallies the lifters as her father, Capo John Zangaglia, guides the Giglio to the front of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem, reflecting generational continuity within the feast’s leadership.

Capo John Zangaglia guiding the up-to-85-foot-tall Giglio through the streets of East Harlem to the front of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Capo John Zangaglia, Megan Zangaglia’s father, guides the Giglio, which stands up to 85 feet tall, through the streets of East Harlem toward the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, reflecting generational continuity within the feast’s leadership.

Mass at the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Harlem to bless Megan Zangaglia, the Number One Capo Paranza.

Erin Zangaglia, President of the East Harlem Giglio Feast, prepped the meatballs for the annual meatball-making contest in memory of Nancee Madio, Capo, and one of three females who started the first girls' capo paranza group.

Erin Zangaglia, President of the East Harlem Giglio Feast, prepares meatballs for the annual contest honoring Nancee Madio, a Capo and one of three women who founded the first girls’ Capo Paranza group, reflecting the expanding role of women within the feast’s leadership structure.

Master Giglio Builder Louis Zangaglia, fifth in the feast's history, using the design and measurements passed down from prior generations.

Louis Zangaglia, a brain cancer survivor, has served as Master Giglio Builder for approximately 24 years. As the fifth builder in the feast’s history, he carries forward design and measurements preserved and passed down through generations.

Giglio builder Michael Calo instructs his son Michael Jr., the children’s Number One Capo Paranza before he leads the children’s parade and dancing of the Giglio.

Giglio builder Michael Calo instructs his son, Michael Jr., the children’s Number One Capo Paranza, prior to leading the children’s parade and ceremonial dancing of the Giglio, reflecting the transmission of leadership across generations.

Giglio builder Nicholas Guggino from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, looks down from the Giglio structure and takes directions from the ground crew to straighten and fasten the face of the Giglio.

Builders repair the Giglio after storm damage, reflecting the collective labor required to preserve the structural and ceremonial continuity of the feast.

Main stop during Saint Anthony’s procession as the patron saint is brought into St. Ann Roman Catholic Church out of reverence for Saint Ann, mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus.

Saint Anthony’s procession pauses at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, where the patron saint is carried inside in reverence to Saint Ann, reflecting the religious foundation of the Giglio Feast’s ceremonial tradition.

Giglio builder Patrick DiCanio (Left) and fellow lifters dancing the over 9,000 pounds Giglio.

Giglio builder Patrick DiCanio (left) and fellow lifters dance the Giglio, a structure weighing over 9,000 pounds, reflecting the collective labor required to sustain the feast’s ceremonial tradition.

Megan Zangaglia commanding her final lift as the Number One Capo Paranza, returning the Giglio to its original location.

Number One Capo Paranza Megan Zangaglia commands her final lift, returning the Giglio to its resting position and completing her ceremonial leadership.