Traditional sounds and costumes of Sartiglia accompany Saint John the Baptist’s celebration in Sennori

“Tamburini e Trombettieri Sa Sartiglia di Oristano” traditional group portrayed here in a photographic reportage of its recent performance in Sennori, where it accompanied the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, in June the 28th.
Indeed, as well as giving the typical sound to every phase of Sartiglia in Oristano, “Tamburini e Trombettieri” group brings the magic of such vibe also to many other different locations throughout Sardinia, Italy, Europe, where it’s often invited to the major events. Together with traditional groups from all over Sardinia, “tamburini e trombettieri” complemented the celebrations in Sennori, at every step of the procession. The most intense phase arrives at Saint John the Baptist Church (located just outside central Sennori, on the road which leads to Osilo), where anyone can admire a variety of ritual gestures and actions, a combination of the ancient pre-Christian rites related to the Water-worship, and the overlap of Christian rites. In fact, at the present time, we can notice the specific elements linked to the symbology of ancient fertility and purification rites: ears of wheat, flowers, fruits, ceremonial breads and a lamb (the “Agnus Dei”, Lamb of God), all placed around the altar before and during the Catholic Mass in honour of Saint John the Baptist. With the following photoreportage, it’s possible to take a look at these details, for example the pretty lavender sheafs tied to the pictures of the Saint, distributed to the people; women and men – in their beautiful traditional local dresses – bringing the ears of wheat, flowers, fruits and vegetables as well as typical breads decorated with motifs connected with Nature; a man carefully carrying the basket with the Lamb. The statue of Saint John the Baptist, sumptuously adorned with sunflowers, is placed next to the altar where the priest says the mass. When the function is over, the procession starts its way to Saint Basil the Great Church, where the event comes to the end. The above mentioned sacred elements and attributes related to fertility and purification rites characterize iconography, rituals, celebrations around Saint John the Baptist, throughout Sardinia and beyond. In this respect, some epithets of Saint John the Baptist are, for example: San Giovanni dei Fiori (Saint John of Flowers; “Santu Giuanni de is Froris / ‘e Froris”, Sardinian), San Giovanni delle acque sorgive (Saint John of Spring Waters; “Sancti Iohannis de Venis”, Latin). We observe Saint John the Baptist as San Giovanni dei Fiori / delle Acque Sorgive also in Oristano, right in the homonymous church of the Gremio dei Contadini (Guild of Farmers); this church is located in the countryside, too, more or less just a mile from the centre of the town.

Photoreportage: Cinzia Carrus e Nicola Marongiu