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13 Sardinian words and their secrets in “Sardegna Tempio delle Acque” (“Sardinia Temple of Waters”)
13 Sardinian words and their secrets: an interdisciplinary documentary
A new version of “Sardinia Temple of the Waters” (preview) is now online, with its original soundtrack. 13 Sardinian (and not only) words with their stories and origins – found mostly on Sumerian, Akkadian and Hebrew languages, connected to all Mediterranean cultures throughout ancient times and today too – and their fascinating mysteries narrated by the linguist Salvatore Dedola, with the visions and the sounds of a re-discovered Sardinia in all its splendour. In this documentary between linguistics, archaeology, anthropology, mythology and even performance art, the Cult of Water is the common theme:
Directed by: Nicola Marongiu, Cinzia Carrus, Francesco Orrù
The original soundtrack is composed and played by Nicola Marongiu, Oscar Quiroz Arias, Matias Quiroz Arias; other important contributions are by the musicians Gesuino Deiana, Andrea Cutri, the Sardinian-Andean group Nazka, Marco Aritzu.
The full version of the documentary (90 minutes) includes a total of 107 Sardinian and Italian words/idioms and consists of ten chapters:
1. Sardegna Tempio delle Acque (introduction)
2. Mask and Power
3. Circle of the Pole
4. Abba, Mu – The Vital Archetype
5. The Prophets of Water
6. The Sacred Seed
7. A Shaky Dance
8. The Temple of Waters – the Doors of Purification, the Place of Well-Being
9. The Water Goddess
10. Water Processions – The Cult of Life.
Very briefly, “Sardinia Temple of the Waters” is a voyage through the Mediterranean places, rites and traditions, starting with Sardinia, with a glance into their ancient roots, behind carnival masks. The interconnections between the signature elements of Sardinian Carnival – with its various typical characters as well as its ritual combats – and Death and Resurrection Myths that can also be found in rites of Adonis (Siria, Phoenicia), Dyonisus (Greece), Baal (Canaan) Osiris (Egypt), Tammuz (Babylonia). The “Carnival” (Italian: “Carnasciale”, Sardinian: “Carrasciale”, “Carresegare” or “Carrasegare”) read as “submersion, flooding, inundation and desecration” of the Power. The precious traditional event held at Oristano during Carnival, called “Sartiglia”, can also be observed into its genesis, into its ancient inception – way beyond of its reformulation occured during the times of Spanish domination in Sardinia. In this way, going back to the archaic roots of Sartiglia, we can look at the true nature of “Su Componidori” (the sacred and leading character of Sartiglia, holding a special object named “Pippia de Maju”) as a Shaman, an Estatic, a Prophet: “the one who makes water pouring out from clouds”. Related to water worship, we also have various nuragic holy wells and springs, in Sardinia. Waters known as healing, miraculous: for example, in San Leonardo di Siete Fuentes (located next to Santu Lussurgiu) Templars even built an hospital, as well as a church. Therefore, we can find many types of Sardinian ritual/ceremonial breads, related to ancient rites dedicated to Adonis. An example is Su Pani de is Bagadius, in Siurgus Donigala: they use to transport this special bread, in procession, evoking the Dead Jesus Christ on the Cross. Priestesses and priests, just as the various personifications of Nature’s God, have been morphed (reversing their original sense) over the time into “devils” (Maimòni/Maimòne, Cambilargiu, Brutu, Mascazzu, Leunardu, Musteddìnu/Boe Muliake), in Sardinia. Everything about this is related to the same cult: the Cult of Water. Sardinia, an enchanting place rich in evidences, as we have seen; and we must take care of such evidences, we have to preserve them and to interconnect them, in order to be able to get (so to share) the Essence: a Holy Well, a Nuraghe, a Domu de Jana, the Giants of Mont’e Prama, as well as each and every word, expression, tradition and toponym of Sardinia, are the Treasure of each and everyone of us.
In this documentary preview are visible the installations which are part of the artistic project called “Sa Sartiglia”, and they have been composed choosing from among 33 artworks of the first cycle originated through the collaboration between Nicola Marongiu and Alfonso Canfora. Each artwork is uniquely named and is moulded into materials connected or inspired by elements, archetypes, geographical names, traditions and rites that bring to the Universal through the Particular. Symbolic locations chosen for these installations, are:
Pozzo Sacro of Sardara (archaeological site of Sant’Anastasia),
Maimòni, Cabras,
San Leonardo di Siete Fuentes,
Santu Lussurgiu,
Monte Arci,
Nuraghe Losa, Abbasanta.
“The only true voyage consists not in seeking new lands, but in having new eyes”. (Marcel Proust)
