The Mamoiada Mamuthones are a fascinating part of the traditional Carnival celebrations in Sardinia. This event takes place in Mamoiada, a town located in the middle east of Sardinia.
The carnival of Mamoiada, also know as Harrasehare, is famous for their masked figures of the “Mamuthones and Issohadores”
On January 16, on the occasion of the celebration of Saint Anthony, about 40 bonfires are lit in the various districts of the town to recall the saving power of the Saint.
The following day, Mamuthones and Issohadores, on the occasion of their first outing they honour all the fires with an evocative welcoming ritual at the command of the Issohadores., according to the rigorous scheme of a ‘march’ marked by the unison rhythm of steps and the loudly sounds of cowbells. The procession announces its slow approach to the awaiting fellow citizens.
The masks then will be the protagonists on the days of the Carnival.
Mamuthones wear a dark velvet dress, overlaid with a sleeveless and hand-sewn sheepskin coat, rows of cowbells on the shoulders tightened to the chest with leather straps, smaller bells hanging on the chest, on the face a hand-carved wooden mask and on the head a cap fixed to the mask with a handkerchief from the women’s clothing
The Issohadores wear white trousers, black coarse, wool stockings, a white collarless shirt, a red bodice, the Sardinian cap secured with a coloured handkerchief, a leather necklace decorated with brocade on which small bronzes are fixed and finally a women’s shawl folded into aa triangle and tied on the hip.
The carnival of Mamoiada
The origins of this tradition are believed to date back to ancient times, possibly linked to agricultural rituals. The carnival itself is a time of celebration, attracting locals and tourists from all over.
