What to do in Sardinia during the Carnival

A good moment to spend the holidays in Sardinia is the period of Carnival, which in the island becomes a special occasion to get to know some of the most fascinating traditions. In 2014 the Carnival coincides with the period from the end of February, beginning of March, although in several countries the first exit of the masks is done on the feast dedicated to Saint Anthony Abbot, where it assists the ignition of bonfires .

The countries of interior, those of Barbagia, organize the carnival events most representative of the island.

In Mamoiada the spotlight is pointed on Mamuthones, masks one of the most important and best known of the Carnival in Sardinia. Dressed in skins, the Mamuthones wearing a mask of dark wood, imperturbable and fascinating.

They carry a great deal of bells hanging on the back and proceed in single file jumping to the beat, thus producing a unique and intriguing sound. In this danced procession are guided by the Issohadores, pitchers of soha (lasso), by colorful costumes, who command them with long ropes.

In another town, Ottana, the protagonists are Sos Boes (oxen), who wear wooden masks with long horns and Sos Merdules (peasants), who try to hold off the Boes. These create confusion among the people, they rebel and lash out against the Merdule that, with ropes and sticks, try to bring them back to order.

In Orotelli, however, the main mask is that of Thurpu (the lame), with his face painted black and dressed in long woolen coats: it portrays the protagonists of the daily life of the pastor. The day of Mardi Gras Thurpos offer drink to the spectators and guide them in their dances.

S'Urzu (the bear) is the principal mask of Ula Tirso: it is unique in bringing such a large boar's head headdress. It is flanked by Sos Bardianos (guardians) who lash out at him, and Su Omadore (the tamer) who invites him to dance, which according to tradition away the curses and leads to community well-being and fertility.

Another particular carnival is staged in Bosa, where the main mask is that of Is Attittadorasa, men dressed as widows running an incoherent dirge. During Mardi Gras the puppet Giolzi (King George), that symbolize the end of the carnival, is burned on the square.

Related to the equestrian events are the Carnival of Oristano and Santu

Lussurgiu: in the first is staged the Sartiglia, the most representative event of the Carnival in Sardinia. The figure that dominates is Componidori, a knight who, after a fascinating dressing ritual becomes the king of the feast.

The knights throw their horses into a wild gallop through the town center with the aim to pierce with a sword, a silver star hanging along the way. The event also provides the extraordinary spectacle of pariglie: divided into groups of three, riders perform daring and exciting choreography on the horses.

In Santu Lussurgiu, near Oristano, takes place instead Sa Carrela 'e nanti (the road ahead), one of the most daring horse racing that takes place in Sardinia. The knights, divided into groups of two or three, dressed with traditional costumes, throw your arm giving themselves to each other along a narrow street in the country and downhill.

Deserves to be mentioned also the Carnival of Tempio, in the north of the island, which includes the parade of great and colorful allegorical floats among which the effigy of King George, symbol of the carnival.

These are just some of the events related to the Carnival in Sardinia, certainly the most representative, but in every town of the island you can watch colorful events, related to the local tradition.

The ideal solution in terms of comfort, convenience and affordability, especially for those who want to immerse themselves in the carnival of the island is to book one of the many villas in Sardinia for self catering holidays, which offer the possibility to integrate better with the local reality and to discover and appreciate the friendliness and hospitality of Sardinians, that in this occasion are important elements to get involved in the festivities.