Santadi

marriage Mauritanian Santadi Sardinia

the characteristic center of SULCITANO Santadi Since 1968, every year the first Sunday in August, repeat the traditional celebration of marriage Mauritania, "Coia maureddina know," an ancient rite that lives in time and that can be traced back to the first half of the first millennium AD, when the population of place came into contact with a Mauritanian nomadic people who in ancient times had settled in the current borders of Morocco and Algeria.this fascinating ceremony, during which two young people are united in marriage with religious and civic effects as agreed between the Holy See and the Italian state, follows the more traditional pastoral and farming that combines the sacred and the profane, the Christian liturgy and ancient rituals of propitiatory hint of paganism, as "Sa gratz", Special blessing for mothers of the couple in providing advice to children at the end of the ceremony, scattering them on the head with rose petals, wheat, salt and coins as a symbolic omen of abundance, respectively, happiness, wisdom, and wealth.finally breaks the pot that contained "sa gratz with almost superstitious gesture, to wish long life and happiness to the newlyweds.the morning of the wedding the bridegroom's family, after donning the costume of the country, accompanying him in procession to the bride's home, she dressed in the traditional dress of the festival: silk brocade, black and fine embroidered linen orbace.the bride and groom are led separately to the wedding procession "traccas" (carts pulled by oxen) festively decorated with beautiful tapestries, colorful flowers, ears of corn, twigs of myrtle, carpets.the wedding procession parading along the main streets of the country arrive in Piazza Marconi, where, in front of the whole country, on a stage in front of the parish church of St. Nicholas, the ceremony will take place.The marriage procession is also accompanied by folk groups from all over the island, players launeddas, horsemen with their traditional costume.over the religious ceremony, the couple, accompanied by guests, go to the wedding feast -- "on cumbiru" - Between the music and songs of launeddas.the wedding celebrations will continue in Piazza Marconi, with songs, music and folklore dancing till late.to all those who in August spending their Holidays In Sardinia, We strongly recommend to attend this special ceremony taste a bit nostalgic.