Mamoiada, Orotelli and Ottana: in February the Barbaricine Carnival

In the carnival's week, the Barbagie celebrate with big events in square, involving their most mysterious characters.

Mamuthones

In Mamoiada, thousands of people assemble in the streets to assist the suggestive parade of the Mamuthones, men wearing skin of sheep or goat over a brown velvet robe, and several cowbells on their shoulders (making them clink in synchronization during a ritual dancing, slow-paced) and a wooden mask with a cruel expression. Usually, Mamuthones move in groups of twelve.

In Mamoiada, thousands of people assemble in the streets to assist the suggestive parade of the Mamuthones, men wearing skin of sheep or goat over a brown velvet robe, and several cowbells on their shoulders (making them clink in synchronization during a ritual dancing, slow-paced) and a wooden mask with a cruel expression. Usually, Mamuthones move in groups of twelve.

In contrast with them, there are the Issokadores, wearing black velvet pants, a white shirt, red waistcoat and the traditional Sardinian cap held by a long handkerchief. Mamuthones and Issokadores make theirs first annual apparition on the day of Sant' Antonio Abbot festivity (17 January).

Thurpos

In Orotelli, instead, there is the parade of the Thurpos: dressed in black with a hood on their head, blackened face and carrying on the shoulders a cluster of cowbells of several dimensions. Some of them represent the peasants, others the oxes trying to escape their capture with ropes. Spectators are also involved.

In Orotelli, instead, there is the parade of the Thurpos: dressed in black with a hood on their head, blackened face and carrying on the shoulders a cluster of cowbells of several dimensions. Some of them represent the peasants, others the oxes trying to escape their capture with ropes. Spectators are also involved.

Merdules

Finally, in Ottana figures similar to those of Orotelli perform their exhibition: the Merdules represent the breeders and the Boes the oxes (in general, the animal world with which the Man has always had a relation sometimes of symbiosis, sometimes of conflict).

All the characters wear wooden masks and goat or sheep skins, but only the Boes carries the cowbells to the belt: the largest ones take the name of "sonazos", the smallest ones are called "brunzitos". The Merdules makes their first annual apparition on the eve of the festivity of Sant' Antonio Abbot, that is in the evening of the 16 January, when the preparation for the Carnival begins.