Not only Sassari. Candlesticks in other centers of Sardinia

Faradda is a strong element of Sassari's identity, but it should be remembered that the Candlesticks are not exclusive to the Turritan city. For example, in Ploaghe, not far from Sassari, a similar ceremony takes place on August 15, the day of Corpus Christi and the Eighth of both holidays with two candlesticks: one from the farmers and one from the shepherds. The Ploaghi candlesticks are similar to the Sassari ones. They differ only in the presence of a dome at the top, from which flags emerge and which is surmounted, in the first case, by the statue of the Child Jesus and in the second case by that of Saint Peter.

Even in Nulvi, also in the province of Sassari, there are candhaleris. This time in number of three: one of the shepherds, whose dominant color is green; one of the artisans, blue; and one of the farmers, yellow. Made of wood, reeds and papier-mâché, they have the shape of a tabernacle and include a load-bearing part with rods for transport. Each candlestick weighs about 9 quintals, is between 8 and 9 meters tall and is carried by 16 men both with rods and with a system of ropes.

After the parade through the streets of the town, the shepherds' candlestick enters the parish church, followed by the other two and all three are arranged in a crown around the sleeping Virgin.

At Iglesias we find an interesting case of rediscovering tradition. Here, once upon a time, the Feast of Mary in the Middle of August was held, and candles were offered large enough to remain burning for a whole year. The custom, abandoned, was resumed in 1992, with eight wooden candlesticks, four representing the historic districts, three of the ancient guilds, one of the Municipality.

Four meters tall, they are distinguished by a very thin barrel, which is very similar to a candle.

In this case, the ceremony takes on the traits of the historical re-enactment: together with the candlesticks, in fact, the herald and the breviaiuolo also parade, which holds the Brief of Villa di Chiesa (code of laws by Iglesias dating back to 1327).

Update

30/7/2024 - 15:34