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February 19, 2026
Sardinia’s ancient masked rite of mamuthones and issohadores
From mid-January until the end of carnival, mamuthones and issohadores take to the streets of Mamoiada, in the mountainous heartland of Sardinia. This is a time when herders and farmers across the Mediterranean turn to the power of masks to cast off winter and foster the coming of spring
TL;DR
- The tradition articulates the relationship between men and animals, freedom and restraint.
- Mamuthones wear dark, 'tragic' masks and are loaded with heavy cowbells.
- They always march in groups of 12, referencing the months of the year.
- Issodores wear red outfits and white, expressionless masks.
- Issodores herd the Mamuthones, symbolizing the man-beast relationship.
- Issodores use lassos on women in the crowd, a symbol of fertility and good omen.
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