usanze

Usanze is the plural form of the Italian noun usanza, which denotes a set of habits, practices, or customs that characterize a community or group. The term is used across sociology, anthropology, and everyday speech to refer to traditional patterns of behavior, including rituals, etiquette, dress, diet, festivals, and social norms. The singular l’usanza refers to a single custom, while usanze can denote the customs of a people or multiple traditions within a culture.

Etymology: usanza derives from uso, use or habit, with the suffix -anza. The word is attested in Italian from the medieval period and shares cognates with related Romance terms.

Usage and scope: Usanze describe durable patterns that guide how people act. They can be local or national, ancient or modern, and may exist alongside laws and formal institutions. They are transmitted through participation in community life, family practices, and rite-of-passage events, and they can persist, change, or fade in response to social change, migration, or contact with other cultures.

Examples: regional marriage rites, seasonal hospitality norms, traditional dress codes, religious observances, or funeral or mourning practices.

See also: costumi, tradizioni, etnografia, cultura.