SA COIA MAUREDDINA – SANTADI – SUNDAY AUGUST 5

The most important event that takes place in Santadi Sa Coia Maurreddina (Marriage Mauritanian), which since 1968 is repeated every first Sunday of August and is celebrated according to the canons of the Roman Apostolic Church. The term must not be misleading, because it is not a pagan ritual, but the reference is relative to the African people that probably, in the past, have landed in the shores and were guests of Sulcis Santadesi lands.

Sa Coia Maurreddina (Mauritanian Wedding)

Preparations of Marriage Mauritanian

The ceremony of ‘Sa Coia Maurredina’ involves the entire community and the country to the party so deeply felt, in fact, the ritual, renews the spirit of belonging to the ancient traditions of the people Sulcis, strengthens the cultural identity of the Sardinian people who is enriched with new understanding.
Each stage of preparations before the wedding is taken care of every detail.

The elderly tailors in the country with dedication and detail pack the dress of the bride and groom, made using the finest fabrics attentive to every detail is as true to tradition.

The choice of ‘traccas’ covers a lot of attention: the oxen pulling the wagons are selected from the finest heads of cattle, decorated with colored ribbons and rosettes. The ‘traccas’ are arranged with care, decorated with handmade carpets, silk fabrics embroidered, woven of flowers, ears of corn and branches of myrtle.

Still, on the occasion of “Sa Coia Maurreddina” the women prepare the traditional bread “and is cocois murtuareddas is” crafted by expert hands until it is white and the same is offered to those present at the end of the wedding ceremony, as tradition dictates.

The wedding rites

‘Sa Coia Maurreddina’ is a Christian rite, celebrated by the priest in the parish church of St. Nicholas, the square of the same, the two young men exchange wedding vows, including the joy and thrill of these witnesses that make the event .

At the end of the Mass is a replica of an ancient special blessing – “Rite of water”: the bride and groom kneel on a cushion and white mothers in turn, almost priestly dignity, make the sign of the cross with a full glass of water, symbol of the arcane elements of life itself. Then sprinkle the head of the mothers of children with “Sa gratzia”: wheat berries, rose petals, grains of salt and some coins, a symbol of abundance, respectively, happiness, wisdom, wealth. Then the mothers break the pot which contained “Sa Grace” as a sign to ward off evil.
These are the cards most beautiful, most moving and pure that mothers with simple gestures to externalize their children.

The Bridal Procession

The murmur of the people …, the curious tourists flocked to the occasion is broken suddenly, the passage of the procession accompanying the bride and groom Bridal altar.
Suddenly a silence stern and strict as spontaneous … the melodious sound of Launeddas ‘sonus de canna’, involving the crowd, almost suspended in appreciating the distinctive notes of the musical instrument of the Sardinian tradition.
Afterwards, on a carpet of flowers “knows ramadura” folk parade representatives from all over the island; groups enchant audiences spellbound by the beauty of the costumes that can boast silks and damasks, lace and linen, adorned with ruffles, corsets graceful, colorful shawls and finely embroidered, embellished with jewelry made of fine gold filigree.
The following compounds of horsemen on the sides, giving displays of their skill in conducting the elegant horses through the streets of the country, honoring the bride and groom with their noble beauty.
Finally, run among the crowd that morning Traccas leave the districts of the country in which they were decorated with passion and dedication. The same house the couple, witnesses and relatives of the couple, the bride is addressed Tracca more elegant, to follow that of the groom and witnesses.
The excitement is at its peak, the involvement of these is total. All gather around the couple soon to reach the churchyard, in an atmosphere full of joy and sacredness.

The Bridal Gown

The bride and groom, their parents, witnesses and all the guests at the wedding, wearing the traditional costume, elegant one, who from the past was reserved for important occasions and celebration. In the tradition of Sulcis, the bride’s dress (some of you bistiri coiai) differed from that day for the high-quality fabrics, careful workmanship and strict accuracy in sewing, in lace and embroidery.

The bride’s dress is made of a precious silk or silk brocade ‘evening matas’, of different shades of color and floral designs. The dress consists of: “about manteu” – long pleated skirt; “on jeeps” – jacket stopped at the wrists with two or three gold buttons; “knows perr’e evening” – a white silk handkerchief embroidered cross on his chest and closed with a brooch of gold “of vantaliccu” – simple black silk apron, embroidered or embellished with handmade lace; “knows scofia” cuff hat with long ribbons of red silk, on which it applies “to mucaroi Biancu “- finely embroidered handkerchief tulle with floral needlework;” knows mantillia “- mantillia white silk or alternatively” on sciallinu ‘and evening “is wearing the scarf of tulle. The dress is enriched de “is prendas” – jewelry made of gold filigree (rings, pendants, brooches, buttons and necklace).

The men’s formal dress (you know some stuff coiai) is made of linen or woolen, the groom wears “is de cracionis Linu” – sottocalzoni white linen; “is cracionis”-trousers in woolen, “knows camisa “- cotton shirt beautifully hand-stitched with embroidered cuffs and collar, two buttons on the latter are applied in gold or silver;” of cossu “- lightweight wool vest with back intarso violet / red, buttoned with two rows of silver coins; “of turbans” – red silk handkerchief tied flowers to wear on “berritta know”; “is craccias” – woolen leggings black “is crapitas” – Polish black shoes with high heels often worked. In winter the habit of accompanying “on serenicu” – finely woven black woolen coat and adorned with red velvet inlay and / or burgundy embroideries and needle using gold threads, stood in the neck by two silver braid .

info: www.prolocosantadi.it