Visit Sardinia it is a bit more than just a holiday, it can fell like jumping in the past, we have a history full of superstitions, myths and legends. Traditional and some time bizarre food, incredible wine and colorful costumes.
Every of 377 communes in Sardinia has is own costume, in the same town there are different dresses to represent the social status. Nowadays nobody use ‘il costume sardo’ (maybe just some very old women and men) in everyday life, it gets proudly worn in special occasion like festivity of to celebrate the Saint Patron of the town.
The scarf or the shawl that covers the women’s shoulders is often the result of years of work, and pays testimony to an ancient art .
Fortunately this art can be still admired at the “Sagra di Sant’Efisio”, at the “Cavalcata Sarda”, at the “Festa del Redentore” in Nuoro and on other occasions such as the grand “Matrimonio Selargino” (a traditional Sardinian wedding) which is celebrated every year in the month of September in Selargius, a town near Cagliari.
During these festivals one can admire the actual costumes that were worn during festivals a hundred or more years ago.
These costumes were made using ancient and mysterious techniques, that required not only a great deal of skill but also knowledge. For instance, the materials were dyed using natural plants and grasses; each family had its own secret formulas and techniques which were jealously guarded, and passed on from generation to generation within the family. There are still many secrets and surprises to be revealed by the costumes.
It is fascinating observing all the different female costume during those festivities and try to understand if the come from a village in the cost or in the mountain, if the represent a rich or pour family, if is the dress of the wedding day or the one the widow wore.
The male costume is more austere and practical, there is always a wide white shirt and a headgear (sa berrita) given the length (about 50 cm) it can fall to the side, behind or folded so as to stay forward, the Calzoni (Cartzones) are always white and very large, of linen, cotton or orbace. They are often long, but the length may vary, and are insert into the hose. ‘Sa Mastucca‘ very widespread among the shepherds, is the sleeveless jacket of sheepskin or lamb (not always present).
Travel and discover the Sardinian traditions, taste its food and wine, swim in its crystal clear water, meet some of the over 100 years ‘nonni’ (Sardinia is one of the blue zone of the world, but let us tell you about this in another blog post) who will tell you all their stories of their time it is priceless.
We will like to show you a little bit of this incredible island during our tour in June (21-30 June 2018)
