Holy Week in Oliena

In Oliena, a pretty village at the foot of Monte Corrasi, the rites of Holy Week are organized by the brotherhoods of San Francesco, Santa Maria, Santa Croce.

On Thursday, the celebration of the Mass in Coena Domini takes place in the parish church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, with the rite of washing the feet and the Eucharistic Adoration. On the morning of Good Friday, the rite of s'Incravamentu, the crucifixion, is held, followed in the afternoon by that of s'Iscravamentu and the procession of the Dead Christ. On the morning of Holy Saturday, in the oratories of the Church of Santa Croce and San Francesco da Paola, the simulacra of the Risen Christ and of Our Lady of Sorrows are prepared. On Easter day, two separate processions carry the statues of Mother and Child. The simulacrum of Christ starts from the church of San Francesco da Paola and bears in his right hand an opulent banner (pandela), surrounded by gold threads, rich in embroidery, covered with gold buttons, characteristic of the traditional Olianese dress, with the lower cap in open filigree, while the upper one, with the characteristic piccos de Marteddu work, ending with a long gold foil bezel containing turquoise paste. This banner is the glorious sign of the Resurrection. The statue of Our Lady, still covered by a mourning veil, is led through the streets of the town in desperate search of Jesus.

Both simulacra are carried by young people who wear traditional festive clothes, and the bright colors of their red cloth vests (gippones), garnished with a purple ribbon (peaked) and embellished with brocade inserts, prelude to the joy of the imminent encounter between the Savior and the Mother. In the background, the beautiful feminine headscarves (muncadores) embroidered with floral motifs in silk thread or golden tinsel. In the air, the scent of Sa Ramadura, the aromatic herbs and flowers scattered along the path as a sign of homage to Jesus and Mary.

The two statues meet in front of the church of Santa Maria, the ancient parish church: it is the moment of the greeting between the two simulacra, who are made to make three ritual bows (sos indrinucones). The latter, if performed with perfect synchrony, will be considered a sign of good omen for the abundance of the future harvest.
The priest removes the dark veil from Our Lady, who finally shows the colors of joy in her clothes and jewelry, such as the traditional necklace consisting of coral threads and golden beads (sa gutturada), ex-vota given by the faithful to the Virgin. The two statues are incensed and blanks are fired, as a sign of joy, exploded by riflemen on terraces and balconies, celebrating the victory of Life over Death, of Good over Evil. The bells, meanwhile, ring out in full.

History of the event
The celebrations of Holy Week in Sardinia derive their origin mainly from the traditional rites brought to the island by Spanish culture.
The official religion in this complex ritual is mixed with local traditions and forms of popular devotion. Consider forms of prediction linked to the success of the agrarian year, such as those dependent on the possible synchronization of the three ritual bows that are made to the statues of the Risen One and the Virgin Mary perform on the occasion of s'Incontru.

We also recall that the aromatic herbs and flowers scattered along the path of s'Incontru will not be eliminated, but religiously preserved for the lighting of the fires of Saint John the Baptist, on 24 June, a rite that is still vital in Oliena, aimed at honoring the Saint, but, in its most remote meaning, at giving strength to the sun during its downward course after the summer solstice.

Update

24/3/2024 - 20:08