Stories and legends of Sardinia
What has been lost elsewhere in Sardinia endures, rooted in the life of communities. The sacred and the profane mingle. Echoes of ancestral rites, of pagan cults dispersed in Spanish-branded Christian ardor.
And the thousand gloomy legends still told by some old people near su fochile.
Contents
FANTASTIC BEINGS
The eternal struggle between Evil and Good.
An ancient world populated by witches, fairies, vampires... A world between fairy tale and reality.
THE POSSESSION OF ARGIA
the colorful "ballerina"
S'argia the supernatural being, the venomous and deadly little animal that stings because she loves to dance, sing and disguise herself.
In Sardinia laughter and weeping, celebration and sickness mingle in the Argia, the tarantula always ready to pounce on those who will engage in wild dancing and singing for her.
FOOD AND BELIEFS IN SARDINIA
The food of weddings and the food of the dead. The auspicious dishes and foods of festivals.
Watch how you handle the bread, and not pouring the wine a "manu furriada" is a sign of betrayal.
JANAS
the little rock fairies
Who they were
They are described as a kind of tiny fairies who lived in holes dug in the rocks (so-called domus de janas).
They went out only at night so that the sun's rays would not spoil their snow-white skin.
When, on moonless nights, they traveled to pray at nuragic temples, they were forced to walk steep, bramble-covered paths.
To avoid the thorns, the janasbecame luminous: this glow signaled their presence.
What were they doing
They specialized in all kinds of domestic work: they wove beautiful cloth and made a bread lighter than the host.
According to legend, they possessed golden looms, flour sieves made of silver. But not only that: they guarded an immense treasure, made of gold, pearls, diamonds.
In defense of these riches were placed the so-called muscas maceddas, horrible creatures with sheep heads, a single eye in the center of the forehead, sharp teeth, short wings and, on their tails, a poisonous stinger.
The muscas were hidden inside a chest, mixed with many others containing treasure.
Since no one dared to risk opening the wrong chest, thus releasing the terrible insects, the treasure always was and remained the property of the janas.
Curiosities
- The janas accompanied their work with beautiful singing: the melody spread through the air and on silent nights gave comfort to lonely travelers.
- Prehistoric tombs, dug into the rock 5-6000 years ago, widespread in Sardinia, are called domus de janas (houses of the janas)
SÙRBILES
vampire women
Who they were
Sùrbiles were women-vampires who sorbed, sucked the blood of iinfants, especially if not yet baptized. She was believed to become a sùrbile the seventh of seven daughters.
What were they doing
By anointing themselves with vegetable oils, the sùrbiles were able to transform themselves into fly species and penetrate the rooms of infants through the keyhole.
They were acting in the dark, between midnight and three o'clock.
In order to prevent them from entering the rooms, specific objects were used as amulets: for example, a broom, which, however, had to be placed with the foliage upwards, or a bunch of hyssop and orange leaves, to be hung on the wall. Again, a pair of shoes placed at the head of the bed, which had to be paired with a headscarf placed at the foot of the bed, had the same effect.
Instead, in some areas it was customary to hang a tripod behind the door, of the kind used to rest the pot on the stove, or to set upside down a cap or jacket at the head of the bed.
Still, there were those who would place toothed objects (pitchforks, combs) on the front door of the room: thus, the sùrbiles would stop and count the teeth, but, since they did not know the numbers beyond three, they would have to start over each time.
Until, come 3 a.m., they would be forced to flee.
Curiosities
- Sùrbiles were often identified with witches and called cogas. They were then depicted as ugly, old women riding around on brooms.
- It was said that they could turn into cats and lay the blood of newborns in the hot ashes of the hearth, where it turned into black pudding, their favorite food.
- To get around, they used a magic formula, which said, Folla a suba de folla, tres oras andai e tres oras a torrai (Leaf on leaf, three hours to go and three hours to return).
- Against witches, St. Sisinnius was prayed to, the only one who could neutralize their power.
PANAS
the spirits of women who died in childbirth
Who they were
They were women who died in childbirth and temporarily returned among mortals in the same guise they had while alive. Since they died at a particular time of their existence (considered "unclean"), they were condemned to wash their creature's clothes for a time ranging from two to seven years.
How they acted
Panas could be stocked along the streams placed at the crossroads between 1 and 3 a.m. as they washed and sang a very sad lullaby.
Their condemnation involved an absolute ban on speaking or interrupt the work: if this happened, they had to start the penance time all over again.
Therefore, if they were disturbed by someone while they were intent on washing, the panas retaliated by spraying water on them, which, however, burned like fire.
Curiosities
- In Gallura, women who died in childbirth were called "paltuggiane".
- Spots on the face, especially of young women, were often explained as a revenge of disturbed panas.
LUXIA RABIOSA
the petrified woman
Who was
She was a woman as wealthy as she was stingy, owning land and grain fields of which she was extremely jealous. For this avarice she was punished by God, who turned her and also the objects about her into stone. Even today, in fact, it is still possible to see strange rocks in the most bizarre shapes on the island; these are the horses, breads, and work tools of Luxìa.
What it represents
The connection with Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain and crops, is evident.
Desperate for the loss of her daughter Persephone, who was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, according to some authors, she took refuge in a dark cave, and, petrified by grief, refused to ascend back to Olympus: because of her absence, the earth produced no more fruit, the crops did not ripen, and the trees withered.
The goddess became one of the Erinyes, spirits of vengeance, until, purified in the river Ladon, she assumed the name Lusìa.
Zeus, moved by her grief, ordered her daughter to be returned to him; but Hades, before releasing Persephone, made her eat the grains of a pomegranate, forcing her to return to him for four months of the year.
Therefore, during the time her daughter was with her, Demeter was happy and made the earth flourish and bear fruit; the other four months were in winter.
Curiosities
- In the territory of Siris there is a stone that is called su procu de Luxìa Arrabiosa (the pig of Luxia Arrabiosa).
- In Pompu there are stones called su pèi de su bòi, sa tùrra e sa cullèra (the foot of the ox, the ladle, the spoon): the objects of Luxìa Arrabiosa.
SA FILONZANA
Attention! Look out! Here comes sa filonzana
Who was
Is the Sardinian Parca. In her hand she holds the spindle and continuously spins a thin thread. It is the thread of our destiny and she knows it, it is in her hands. She wears black and has a hump so pronounced that it almost breaks her in two. His face is covered by a horrible, evil, ambiguous mask.
What does
He spins all the time and what everyone fears is the thread he holds in his hands, they fear it will break.
People are afraid of her and respect her but do not like her; in fact, she has a very bad reputation, although no one knows where it comes from.
The mists of time may have seen it born but folk tales have not preserved its origin.
Sa filonzana is a typical Sardinian carnival mask: it often appears at the end of the parade, almost a warning after the typical revelry of the festival.
Curiosities
- Some say that the somewhat macabre figure de sa filonzana, accompanied the boys to make a sort of quest on New Year's Eve; every door in the village had to open wide and give away dried fruits and sweets.
- The presence of the "spinner" was supposed to ensure a successful quest. But for those who did not prove generous, it was inevitable to hear traditional ominous phrases or sayings.
THE POSSESSION OF ARGIA
the colorful "ballerina"
THE MYTH OF ARGIA
In Sardinia, they love she because she gives life to festivals and entertainment; they hate she because it causes sickness and humiliation: it is the argia, a true colorful dancer.
It is actually a small and very venomous animal: some describe it as a spider, others as a large ant.
In any case, its sting can be deadly if not treated in the time and manner prescribed by tradition.
S'argia is shrouded in a thousand mysteries: for the Sardinians, she is the sole survivor of the God-ordained extermination of the island's poisonous animals.
Rare encounters with some "male argia" almost uniquely "female", is presented with a lot of bodice and skirt. The colors of the clothes indicate her marital status, as with Sardinian women: single, married or widowed. Black indicates widow, white indicates maiden, speckled indicates bride.
THE STING
On the island, agricultural and pastoral life is very strenuous, hard and restless. Sometimes the shepherd or farmer decides to stretch out just for a moment in the shade of a tree -- just then the argy is ready to strike.
There is no favorite time of day for the argia: night, dawn, noon, it doesn't matter. It certainly stings in summer, in the countryside, during pastoral work, harvesting, gleaning or picking broad beans. However, always at times of fatigue, rest and abandonment, when the worker is less alert. It prefers men to women.
Farmers learn from an early age to beware of argia bites. Before going to bed they pronounce various curses against this dangerous enemy.
If they realize they have been stung they immediately disinfect the affected part by urinating on it-the real cure, however, will be another...
THE CURE: DANCING AND DRESSING UP
After being stung by the argia, the victim is no longer the same person: he or she undergoes true possession by the animal. The only hope for salvation is to discover the characteristics of the guilty argia.
The whole village engages in this "investigation": playing and dancing to find out the argia's preferences.
One makes the sick person wear women's clothes of different colors in order to be able to tell whether the argia is single, married or widowed. Attempts are also made to question the sick person himself to obtain other information.
The result? A party full of sounds, dances and colors. The argia must be brought out into the open within exactly three days: only after it has been detected and accommodated will it go away and allow the sufferer to regain his or her identity and dignity.
OTHER TYPES OF CARE
In Sardinia argia sting is also cured by other means than dancing and dressing up.
In some villages, women arrange themselves around the sick and move their flour sieves on wooden frames. They accompany the sounds of these traditional instruments with typical women's songs.
In other parts of the island, a large outdoor oven is prepared for the cure. One lights the fire with vine shoots placed to form a cross.
The sick man sits by the flames while others dance near him, holding burning vine shoots. In Sassari, however, the casualty is wrapped in a sack and buried up to the neck in manure. The victim's body is sometimes simply immersed in a tub filled with hot water.
THE GOLD TODAY
Don't be afraid to rest in the shade of a few trees in the vast countryside of Sardinia: by now the argia seems to have made up its mind to give up dancing and singing.
We often hear that the argies have died: how, when and why is unknown. But one thing is certain: dances and festivals in Sardinia are more alive than ever.
FOOD AND BELIEFS IN SARDINIA
APHRODISIAC FOODS
In the past, Sardinians were much more reserved and closed-minded than today: sexuality was certainly not a topic much in everyday talk. Let alone at the dinner table, in front of the shamed and naive women of yesteryear.
In Sardinia there are not many traditionally aphrodisiac foods.
The only food considered to have such powers was and still is celery (s'appiu), eaten raw and in large quantities.
Today at typical Sardinian banquets it is customary to place celery on the table and mischievously invite the men present to consume it without limit.
In fact, the "real Sardinian man" does not eat much of it (at least in the presence of other diners): in fact, he believes that he does not need such "help" to carry out his marital duties without "hiccups."
AUSPICIOUS FOODS
On the island, every holiday is the right time to enjoy roast pork.
The pork is abbruskiau (burned), washed thoroughly, cut into several parts and cooked outdoors in the fire. This food, a symbol of joy and well-being, is auspicious: especially when shared with others.
For the holidays in villages, gifts are given to neighbors or families most in need: pieces of freshly slaughtered meat, bread fried in pork fat, liver and lard. Gifts that are immediately reciprocated with fava beans, chickpeas or lentils: less expensive foods but also bringers of good fortune and well-being.
Broad beans and lard is the typical dish offered in villages during Carnival: greeting the arrival of spring with a rich dish, a wish for abundant harvests and prosperity.
Two other auspicious foods are definitely rice and wheat: still thrown at the feet of newlyweds at the time of leaving the paternal home. Thus they wish the new family prosperity and happiness.
Finally, toasting with glasses filled with good wine is the most common gesture of good luck in Sardinia: woe to those who refuse unu zikkeddu (a small glass of wine).
FOODS AND CELEBRATIONS
Every event out of the ordinary is marked in Sardinia by special foods: fruits of an art passed down from generation to generation.
Different shaped breads and cakes are still prepared for the wedding: heart-shaped, flower-shaped, crown-shaped, dove-shaped or with various tips to represent the sexual organs of the bride and groom.
On October 31 in the past, crown-shaped breads, is animeddas, were distributed to children in the name of the souls in purgatory.
During the night of November 1, it was customary to leave dinner for the deceased on the windowsill: bread and pasta.
On the seventh or ninth day after the death of a relative, a tasty bread, sa panedda, with meat and macaroni is given to relatives and friends.
For Easter, bread is still made with one or more eggs embedded in the dough before baking. Typical Easter sweets are: is pardulas (flatbreads made with fresh pecorino cheese) and is pabassinas (made with raisins, almonds, walnuts and cooked must).
At Christmas, the Sardinian table is sweetened with nougat, mostaccioli and guefus (almond paste dressed in sugar).
HOW TO HANDLE CERTAIN FOODS
If you attend a Sardinian banquet, it is not forbidden to eat with your hands; in fact, the foods turn out to be more flavorful and tasty. Beware, however, of other attitudes.
Bread for example has a very important value in Sardinia: it has been the staple food of rich and poor alike for centuries. It must be handled with great care.
Su civraxu (large loaf) should not be poked with a knife, it should only be cut into large slices, never around them. When cutting the first slice, it should never be cut from the part where the dough has come off (the part that remains a little less cooked). It should not be turned upside down at all.
If a piece of bread falls on the floor it is picked up, blown to clean it and with a sign of the cross placed back on the table. It is not to be thrown away at all.
The cheese should also be treated with care: it is cut into regular, not very large slices, starting from the center of the wheel.
Before cutting the curds, shepherds would make a cross on the curdled milk, mark themselves, and begin to process the cheese
Pay attention to the wine: it should be poured into the glass while holding the flask or bottle with the back of the hand facing upward. Pouring the wine differently is considered a gesture of betrayal.
SARDINIAN FOOD AND HOSPITALITY
Have you always been told that Sardinians are very reserved and grumpy? maybe it is true if you touch on very private topics.
But they are also very hospitable, especially in the villages: it is impossible for you to leave a house without tasting a piece of fresh cheese, ham, bread and a glass of good wine.
In Sardinia, sharing even what little food one has at home is a basic rule: the more one gives, the more providence will bring.
Especially in the Nuoro area if you go into a bar you will be able to happen to buy you a drink: don't be surprised, accept the invitation and have a chat.
