Leggi in Italiano
Hello community! we have chosen Sardinia once again in on of our latest February trip and it’s definitely getting my most favourite destination! this time is unfortunately not to enjoy its marvelous sea, as its a very cold weather that freezes the island down these days, but “au contraire” we are here following on a close-up the magic of the carnival and the typical sense of hospitality you breathe this side of the Mediterranea sea.
The whole world speaks about, it’s been reported in the books, in the shows and in the museums, painted by great local artists and usually represented in all of its difference and authenticity in comparison to what we intend when thinking about its classical celebration with nice masks, colored and stars spinning, confetti everywhere raining down the sky.
“Su carrasecare” is the pure translation of the “carnival” in Sardinian language It is indeed something different, it is ancient, ancestral, rooted in medieval traditions. It changes and it fascinates more and more as you drive across the villages of central parts of the island. Just so in the myth, in some zones of Sardinia, carnival is tightly tied to the agricultural tradition of the island, in other areas it purely recalls to customs and uses of Spanish and Aragonese tradition.
Here in the Sardinian carnival men are exhibited in costumes recalling animal figures, often bovine, with so much of horns and cowbells, it is the case of the “boes” of the traditions carnival in the province of Nuoro, among the most known in the whole Sardinia. They represent the struggle between the animal instinct and the human reason, in fact in the carnival exhibitions the Boes itself is pursued, whipped and captured by the “Merdules” representing furious brawls.
Not to forget the “Mamuthoneses” of Mamoiada, that instead invoke a prey mystical figure to the fury and the anger, invoking the good crop in the fields to spring.
The festivity of this 2018 have represented my very first visit to the “Sartiglia” of Oristano, a celebration from the Spanish influence, the same name Sartiglia in itself contains Castilian roots. “Sortija” from the Latin “sorticula” or rather ring, holds back in itself the diminutive “sors” for fortune. It consists in the attempt of the riders to center a target, eight pointed shaped, with a big hole at the center, suspended to a green ribbon, with their sword, the masked knights challenge the fate, and catching the star promises good hope.
The head racer is “Su componidori” (photo above).
Such name translated by the Sardinian language campidanese is something similar to the “compounder” in a matter of a horse race. Wearing purely an androgynous mask he is the Lord of the Gremio, the party of farmers or carpenters in the village. This true protagonist, man and woman at the same time, is born during a public clothing ritual, celebrated by girls that wear ancient customs.
A carnival of food and Sardinian tradition to be exported!
It’s been a visit of pure enjoyable taste, we have visited the beloved ones, and the angles of our childhood. Here among the streets and the locks of the ancient doors that we have sneaked by the mediterranean village, a themed party of local food exposed to the public.

Sardinia is the authenticity of whom has created unique products pushed by the passion for his own land and the desire to make it famous to the world
The organic cosmetic products of Mr. Nicola and his homonym “Oleificio Marras” it is testimony of it.
Oleificio stands for “olive oil” producers, indeed from a careful and accurate oil production he reaches the sector of the cosmetic through the use of the same, obtaining some really unique and delicate and protective products for the body.
A true reality that gives life and feeds the economy of the families of the zone. The mastery in to create cosmetic of the Sig. Nicola is at the disposal of whoever wants to hand questions and to ask more details! We have certainly discovered excellent and indeed original cosmetic products and have delighted our palate with his incredibly velvety olive oil.
The celebrated yet famous “gioiello” translated Jewwl, ia the Black quality of rice, not found in any other part by the unmistakable black-violet color and by the perfume and particular taste. In beginnings of 2017 it has made official entry in the market: from Sardinia in the whole Italy, The rice “Jewel” called so just because it is an unique variety, it is found only in this side of the Sardinian island. In their 120 hectares in which he produces rice Carnaroli, a small part of land has been reserved to the black rice, Whose dark and natural colour stands in the green surrounding fields.

The evening visits at the street market, right after the parade in mask with the Sardinian riders, is full of so much tradition and local hospitality:
“Only cork” of Pietro Pinna is in Bultei (his page can be checked via this link).

Their first base dishes of pasta of farro were mostly delicious!In Sardinia there is then that beautiful sea. what the rich travellers of the Mediterranean one have for centuries tried to conquer, today’s tourists say to love him/it, others love to tell the island in his wide and beautiful sinuous instead forms, as me that I return even there in January!!
… I speak of an unbelievable sea for how outstanding it is!
The fishermen of the Sinis as the our dear Sig. Renzo describes from his boat, veering to all to the rock-cliff of St. Giovanni toward the part north of the gulf, bravely bringing to fish me in that angle in which apparently the biggest squids of the Mediterranean Sea are roused, and the sub chase with astuteness the notorious curls of sea, for an excellent first dish, sprinkled of a rain of bottarga of Cabras.
Even in shore to the sea in one of the so many local restaurants! My little experience in the fishing has done her from master and me due son to be satisfied with this three small fishes that he calls “glances!” Me of “glances” have launched so many of it in this small trip in boat, must admit not to be assembles a lot me on the fishing reed, alas for the objective of the camera, I give you therefore some release, promising that to the next one, will fish something in more and will organize a beautiful grigliata for everybody!!
Pingback: The roots of the Sardinian costume, in the ancient Spanish 1800 era.