Autunno in Barbagia (Autumn in Barbagia) is an event held every year from September to December in the heart of Sardinia with the aim of making the material and non-material heritage of Barbagia known. Every weekend, two villages open the doors of their courtyards and, animated by a feeling of festivity and conviviality, introduce visitors to traditional crafts, typical recipes, traditional costumes and carnival masks accompanied by traditional music and Sardinian dancing.
Traditional crafts, local handicrafts on display in villages
Autumn in Barbagia is the ideal time to discover Sardinia’s traditional crafts. Starting with the working of materials such as wood, which is hand-carved and used to construct furnishing complements and useful objects for the home such as chopping boards and bowls, and iron used to construct the cowbells worn on the shoulders of the Mamuthones. During these days, some villages allow visitors to participate in workshops dedicated to goldsmithing and in particular the creation of filigree jewellery, a unique piece of jewellery steeped in island history. Leatherwork is another staple of the local craft, as is cutlery. During Autunno in Barbagia you can buy your souvenirs at the many stalls you will find in the town centre, from the most typical objects such as knives and launeddas to the splendid modern innovations of local craftsmen.
Days of taste to discover wine and food processing and typical dishes
During Autunno in Barbagia you can eat and drink very well. Each weekend is designed to introduce you to traditional dishes, so let yourself be guided by the food and wine trails through the village streets and taste stuffed pasta, cheeses, Sardinian sausage and, of course, sweets. You can participate in culinary workshops in the company of experienced local people who invite you into their homes during those days and demonstrate to everyone the ancient art of bread, cheese and pasta making. A marvellous show where you can take a few notes and then try your hand at home. You can also take wine tastings and discover the wines of the area, from Cannonau to Moscato, without forgetting the traditional bitters such as limoncello, mirto and filu ‘e ferru.
Carnival costumes and masks, traditions worn
The Sardinian costume is not just a folkloric outfit, it is an ancient way of dressing that determines the identity of a country. Everyone has their own costume with special characteristics that make it unique and wonderful. During Autunno in Barbagia, it is not strange to see people wearing traditional clothes and staging religious and social rituals such as Sa Coja Antiga, the ancient ceremony of the bride and groom that is very special and exciting. The masks of the Barbagia carnival deserve a separate mention, decidedly different from the festive masks of the carnivals we are used to throughout Italy. The Mamuthones of Mamoiada are certainly the best known, but in reality, each Barbagia village has its own masks with their own particularities that refer to ancient pagan rituals. In Ottana, the Boes have a beastly appearance, as does s’Urtzu of Fonni. At Orani, on the other hand, Su Bundhu is a figure with devilish features who screams in an eerie manner during the parade to invoke the wind god for propitiatory purposes.
