The Contrade of Siena are neighborhood communities, each with a distinct sense of identity and membership. If you are born within a contrada, you become a member of that contrada until you die. Contradas play a strong role in the social, cultural and political lives of their members. Read more about the history of the contrade and the role they play in the Palio de Siena.
You can see a parade of the Dragon Contrada in the video below. Think, all the people in this parade are from the same neighbourhood and are proud to be marching for their neighbourhood. Note the families marching behind the men in costumes, singing their contrada song.