Orani Carnival

The Carnival begins on January 16, the eve of the feast of Saint Anthony, with the lighting of fireworks in the various districts.
A carnival that is linked to ancient peasant beliefs through the figure of “Su Bundu”, a creature that is half human and half bovine wearing simple clothes: wide and long coat, shirt, velvet pants and leather legs. The mask that covers his face is made of red cork, has long horns, a big nose, lace and mustache, depicting a being half man and half animal. The Bundos, during the parade, mimic the rite of planting by holding a wooden pitchfork (on trivuthu), accompanied by ritual gestures and a loud voice.
On January 17, the day dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot, when the Bundos visit the traditional fireworks and masks are offered “su pistiddu”, the typical dessert of this holiday and blessed during the procession. The dessert is also offered to everyone present and brought to the homes of the sick to thirteen people named Antonio.

The masks
Su Bundu: he wears a wide and long coat, shirt, velvet pants and leather leggings. A red cork mask, it has long horns, a big nose, lace and mustache.

History
The Bundos carnival, although linked to ancient peasant beliefs, probably has later origins than the other more famous Barbarian carnivals. Su Bundu is a half-human, half-bovine creature; the red color of the mask that covered his face was originally obtained with ox blood, while their pitchfork (su trivuthu) symbolized their peasant origins. Popular tradition tells of a courageous farmer who, during a stormy night, disguised as Bundu, convinced the restless spirits to respect the people and their harvest. The mimicry and screams of the masks represent the eternal struggle between good and evil, even if popular beliefs are conflicting, identifying Bundu sometimes with evil, when it was thought that he wanted to intimidate men, other times with good, identifying him with a wind god who helped farmers to separate wheat from bran.

Update

6/2/2024 - 08:23