December
ORGOSOLO
"SA CANDELARIA"
Orgosolo
(4680 inhabitants) derives its name from the Greek word “orgàs” (= a fertile
soil full of water). A small village in Barbagia, Orgosolo lies at the foot
of Mount Lisorgoni, 18 km from Nuoro. It is a typical inland village with narrow
and steep streets, where granite one-floor houses (endowed with an inner yard)
are to be found, one leaning against the other. The front walls of the houses
boast famous murales, beautiful paintings representing socio-political situations
such as the uneasiness and isolation of inland villages, the social protest
against the Regione administration and the government. The murales, together
with the local environment, are a major attraction for visitors. Orgosolo is
surrounded by an unpolluted environment, one of the most impressive of the island.
The Supramonte of Orgosolo offers the visitor a vast and varied scenery: secular
holm-oak, yew, maple, juniper, durmast woods and heather maquis, together wit
h
deep valleys, rocks, sheer cliffs and vast heaths. The higher areas are rich
in thyme and rosemary. Here, rare botanical species are to be found, such as
sandalwood ribes, columbine, mountain sorb, Etnian broom and the splendid wild
peony. Among the fauna species, there are eagles, cinereus vultures, griffons,
hawks (which use to make their nest on rocky walls), a few mouflons, wild cats,
wild boars, foxes, martens, weasels and dormice. The village was mentioned in
the second half of the XIV century as one of the parish churches of the Suelli
diocese, that paid the tithe to the Holy See. It belonged to the Dore “curatoria”.
Besides
,
the representatives of this village, too, signed the peace treaty between Eleonora
d’Arborea and Giovanni d’Aragona. Numerous are the religious buildings: the
parish church of S. Pietro, built in the XIV century but readapted in the XVIII
century; the Oratory of Santa Croce, that holds a wooden crucifix dating from
1600; the church of S. Antonio da Padova and that of the Virgin Assunta, built
in 1634, whose feast (on 13th-18th August) attracts numerous tourists to the
heartfelt and suggestive costume night procession, and the daring horse race
called Sa Vardia. On this occasion the cumbessias are opened 
(=
little houses surrounding the country church) and Sardinian dances and songs
are performed. The local gastronomy is rich and genuine: pane carasau , su pani
modde, honey, cheese, cold meats and salami, roasts, nougat, excellent cakes
such as s’aranzada, papassini, urilletas, Vermentino and Cannonau wine, myrtle
liqueur. The village has an agricultural and sheep-breeding economy (olive groves
and vineyards); reforesting is also a successful activity here, together with
tourism, which has gained ground recently thanks to the natural beauties of
the village, included in the future Parco del Gennargentu. Most beautiful is
the traditional woman’s costume, made of silk and brocade, enriched with bright-coloured,
geometrical ornamental embroidery. The silk is made in Orgosolo
:
in fact, there is one family in Orgosolo who still grows mulberry trees and
make silk. The headgear su lionzu is coloured with saffron. The people of this
village are proud, clever, respectful of the natural and spiritual treasures
of this land. They u
se
to keep old traditions unchanged, such as Sa Candelaria: on 31st December, from
8.00 am to midday, children use to knock from door to door, receiving su pane
de sa Candelaria, cakes, money and fruit. In the past, this feast was helpful
for poor people. Whereas at night it is the young people who go to the newly
married couples’houses, singing best-luck songs and receiving cakes and fruit.
On 16th and 17th January the pagan cult of fire is celebrated: at Sant’Antonio
Abate, su pistiddi is prepared, made of puff pastry, honey, and bran. Worth
visiting is the house/birthplace of the martyr Antonia Mesina, who is held in
the cript of the church of S. Pietro. The martyr’s feast is celebrated on 17th
May (the very day when she was killed) in the countryside. On the first Sunday
of June Sant’Egidio and Sant’Anania are celebrated. The feast takes place in
a country church (dating back to the XVI/XVIII century), the same place where
the two saints were martirized.
PHOTOS OF KIKINU - ORGOSOLO
