Ancient festival will be held on Sardinia

Ancient festival will be held on Sardinia

In a small village of Mamoiada on Sardinia in early February will begin one of the oldest carnivals. Its history goes back more than two thousand years and its origins have not yet been determined, although there are several pretty versions.

The central characters of the carnival are Mamuthones and Issohadores. Their march through the village is the main event of the holiday. Mamuthones in black wooden masks, black sheep skins and stylized cow bells on their backs (which sometimes reach several tens of kilograms) march in two parallel rows and cause sharp ringing by the body movements. On each side of Mamuthones are marching Issohadores in white masks with red jackets, braided lasso rope in hand, by which they try to catch someone in the crowd. It is believed that the caught person can expect luck and happiness. Issohadores protect Mamuthones during the parade through the village not allowing residents and tourists to touch them or remove the bell. One Issohadores is responsible for Mamuthones movement pointing them where to move and setting the rhythm. All this is accompanied by traditional dancing of the local people dressed in traditional costumes. At the end of the event procession and tourists await good banquet of local dishes and wines.

Such processions are held throughout the festival, and on the last day appears a new character Juvanne Martis Sero doll. This doll is placed on a cart and people drag it along the town. Men dressed in black like mourning women move after the wagon and mourn Juvanne, because in the evening this doll will be burned.

Ilya Kozlovskiy

Date: 29/01/2012