The traditional Carnival in Sardinia: Sa Sartiglia

The week of carnival (carnevale) is really popular in Italy thanks to the playful and colorful holiday with the masks, but in Sardinia there is a second level of traditional celebrations: on Sunday and Mardi Gras Oristano is the center of Sardinia with the event of Sa Sartiglia.

This equestrian event has quite ancient origins dating back to the medieval period of the Judicate of Arborea in the XIII and XIV century. The games originate from the cavalry’s military exercises turned into shows organized by rulers, feudal lords and gremi (guilds of artisans) for the people. The most ancient documents on Sartiglia talk about the city of Oristano from the Spanish age, as you can read on the event’s official page: 

“Oldest documents related to the Sartiglia refer to the town of Oristano during the Spanish age. At present, we do not know if the tilt at the ring was organized by the municipal authority, on the occasion of special festivities, nor do we know what was the historical moment when the Guilds started to take care of its organization. The most ancient tradition, handed down orally by the inhabitants of Oristano and, in particular, by the participants to the event – either old Guild members or elderly horsemen – has it that, since its origins, the Sartiglia has never been interrupted; that, every year, regardless of weather conditions, in war or peace, the Sartiglia has been run and ‘Su Componidori’ has been leading the ritual ceremonies of the joust.”

Su Componidori
of the Farmers Guild
(source: sartiglia.info)

Sartiglia’s two equestrian events are the star joust (corsa alla stella) and the knights pariglia: in the first one, su Componidori (knight chosen by the Guild of Farmers and the Guild of Carpenters, one knight for each guild) tries to catch the star with his sword during the horse ride. A high number of centered stars represents a year of good harvest and prosperity. The Componidori can also allow some knights to try the joust, according to his own judgment of their skills. In the second part, the knights perform in groups called pariglie, carrying out stunts standing on the horses during the race.

The traditional course begins one month before the event, with the ceremony of candelora: on the 2nd of February the guilds and brotherhoods associates attend the Eucharistic service, where candles are blessed. Then, guild members give a blessed candle to the institution associates, the families of deceased members and sick confreres, as a sign of communion and solidarity between members and sympathizers of the association. Finally, the highest authorities of the guilds, s’Oberaiu Majore of the Farmers Guild and the Majorale en cabo of the Carpenters Guild, choose their own Componidori. The knights’ official appointment takes place with the delivery of a large blessed candle.

On Sunday and Tuesday celebrations start with the announcement, that is an horse riding herald who informs the community about the will of the civic authority, the starting time of the joust and the prizes reserved to the winning knights; he also states that the knights follow the rule and orders of “Su Mastru Componidori”. The herald goes through the roads of the old town, the closest suburbs and the main crossroads to read the notice. 

Later, su Componidori follows the path from the home of the guild president to the site of the dressing ceremony. The knight sits on “sa mesitta”, the table on which the ritual takes place. The “massaieddas”, a group of girls dressed in Oristano’s traditional outfits, bring in baskets the clothes of su Componidori. Under the supervision of “sa Massaia Manna”, the massaieddas help the knight wearing the old garments. Su Componidori’s clothes include specific garments and colors for their own guild. The ribbons that hold the white blouse of su Componidori for the Farmers Guild are red, while those of su Componidori of the Carpenters Guild are pink and light blue. 

In addition, the mask of the Farmers’ Componidori is earthly-colored and the Carpenters’ Componidori wears the pale mask. Before placing the mask, the knight raises a well-wishing toast with the associates and a last salutation. Each action in this ceremony is sacred, the placement of the mask in particular is the crucial moment: from this moment, the knight disappears and makes way for the almost divine figure of su Componidori.

Dressing of su Componidori of the Guild of Farmers (2012)

His horse is taken to sa mesitta because since the dressing until the end of the event and the undressing su Componidori cannot touch the ground. Once on the horse, su Componidori takes sa Pippa ‘e Maiu, the double rod of periwinkles and violets which symbolize the incoming spring, and blesses all those present. Then, accompanied by his companions and the other knights, he blesses the audience up to the Cathedral square to start the star joust.

On the site of the race in via del Duomo, su Componidori crosses swords three times with his second-in-command to officially start the joust. Su Componidori, as chief of the race, attempts first to take the star at full gallop, then his helpers try as well. Following up, only the knights chosen by su Componidori can take the sword and try the race. Those who manage to hit the target get the congratulations and applause of the audience and a small silver star as a prize. If the same knights manage to hit the mark on the second day as well, they receive a small golden star. Once the knights are finished, su Componidori gives back the sword to the guild’s authorities and receives su stoccu, a wooden spear. Only he and his pariglia companions can try again to catch the star with su stoccu.

Star joust of Guild of Carpenters (2020)

Later su Componidori returns to the Cathedral square to give back the spear and get sa Pippa e’ Maiu. The chief of the race blesses the people heading towards Piazza Manno, the starting point of the star joust. Here su Componidori performs “sa Remada”: racing at gallop through the path, laying on his back on the horse saluting and blessing everyone. After this valiant action the star joust ends and the show of the pariglie stunts begins.

The knights, announced by drums and trumpets, enter the small tunnel leading into via Mazzini, called “su Brocci”. Here the pariglie begin their daring acrobatics, the result of months of preparation and demonstration of their abilities. The pariglia of su Componidori starts first: the chief of the race cannot risk to fall on the ground, therefore his companions ride to the sides and he puts his hands on his knights’ shoulders. Later all the pariglie show incredible stunts, creating a unique spectacle. Here we can see an example of pariglie rides from the past years:

The last ride of the journey is once again by su Componidori and his pariglia. It ends with the chief of the race performing another Remada, this time accompanied by his companions who take the reins while he blesses the audience among the applause of the other knights. The conclusion of the event comes around sunset, when the parade of knights, together with guild, trumpeters and drummers, reaches the site of the guild where the dressing took place. Su Componidori reaches the “mesitta”, leaves his horse to a squire and so commences the undressing ceremony. Once removed the top hat and the veil, the drum roll accompanies the removal of the mask: su Componidori goes back to being a knight. All those present greet and congratulate him during the party that goes on for the whole night.

Pariglia of Carpenters Guild,
2017 (source: sartiglia.info)

The Sartiglia is a very important event appreciated in the whole region, and for this it is usually broadcasted by the regional stations. Due to the health situation of the last few years, the 2021 edition didn’t take place for the first time in its multi centenarian history. Although, the dressing ceremony of su Componidori of Carpenters Guild and his blessing to the city occurred all the same in a minimized private form, according to the health guidelines. Additionally, instead of the live broadcasting of the event, the regional stations EjaTv and SuperTv aired a tv marathon with documentaries, insights, the 2020 Sartiglia with Italian and Sardinian commentary, and much more. Part of these programs can currently be watched on the YouTube channel Sartiglia Magazine.

This year’s edition takes place on Sunday 27th of February and Tuesday 1st of March. This edition will feature: the dressing ceremony with limited audience, the parade, the crossing of swords under the star in Piazza Duomo, and the final blessing of su Componidori. Like last year, the tv program “Oggi è Sartiglia'' follows the phases of the event and it can be watched on the channel 79 of DTT RTS Radio Televisione Sardegna, on the tv station Videolina and online on SuperTv’s website, on the YouTube channels Sartiglia Magazine, EjaTv, Sardegna Eventi 24 and the social network accounts of Fondazione Oristano. Many other collateral events take place in different areas of the city such as exhibitions and creative workshops related to the equestrian tradition.

Despite the difficult situation, it’s been possible to keep the tradition of sa Sartiglia in its most symbolic parts such as the dressing and the blessing. This year a bit more could be done, and we can hope that soon we can restore the rest of the event, one step at a time.

Undressing of su Componidori of Carpenters Guild in 2017 (source: sartiglia.info)