Carnevale de Samugheo

Name: Carnevale de Samugheo
Start: 2025-03-01
End: 2025-03-03
Location: Samugheo

A Masked Festival Where Sardinia’s Wild Spirit and Ancient Magic Come Alive

2026/02/14 - 2026/02/16

Every winter, the small Sardinian town of Samugheo is enveloped in the primal energy of “Carnevale.” For several days, the streets are filled with the deep clang of cowbells, the scent of bonfire smoke, and the mysterious presence of fur-clad masked figures, drawing spectators into a world beyond the ordinary. If you seek an authentic experience where tradition, mystery, and raw emotion intersect, the Carnevale di Samugheo is truly unmissable.

Held each year from February to early March, this festival is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in genuine Sardinian culture, folklore, and living tradition. Both locals and travelers are swept up in the rhythm, flavors, textures, and heat of one of Italy’s most unique carnivals.

Main Attractions

The Mamutzones Parade

The heart of Samugheo’s Carnevale is the Mamutzones parade. Men don heavy sheepskin cloaks, terrifyingly expressive wooden masks, and huge cowbells strapped to their backs as they stomp powerfully along the cobblestone streets. The sound of the bells shakes the winter air, creating an eerie and mystical atmosphere. The wild movements of the Mamutzones recall ancient rituals to drive away evil spirits and call spring to the land.

Su Maimoni and Sa Filonzana

Other key characters include Su Maimoni, a mask symbolizing the spirit of fertility and rain, and Sa Filonzana, the old woman of fate who spins and cuts thread. Their dramatic gestures, songs, and playful interactions with the crowd are highlights of the festival. Children watch the masks in fascination and, if lucky, have their faces smeared with soot for good luck, becoming part of the celebration themselves.

Costumes and Decorations

The costumes are true works of folk art: sheepskin, carved wood, iron bells, and ropes, each with a unique tactile feel. Every mask, hand-carved by local artisans, has its own expression—some frightening, some humorous. The town is decorated with bonfires, flags, and rustic ornaments, while the aroma of baked sweets, wine, and wood smoke fills the winter air.

Traditional Food & Drink

Festival-goers are treated to crispy pane carasau (flatbread), charcoal-grilled pork, local pecorino cheese, and sugar-dusted fried pastries like zeppole and chiacchiere. The taste of homemade red wine and fresh bread, and the warmth of sharing a table with others, fill both heart and body.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Carnevale di Samugheo originated from prehistoric rituals to pray for fertility, ward off evil, and mark the transition from winter to spring. Over time, it blended with Catholic tradition, but its wild, elemental spirit remains strong. For locals, it is a vital event celebrating identity, regional pride, and community bonds—a living testament to Sardinia’s unique mythology, history, and craftsmanship.

Today, visitors from across Italy and beyond come to witness this “living carnival” where ancient and modern worlds meet. It’s a night where the boundary between mask and man, reality and myth, becomes beautifully blurred.

Participant Voices

The first time I heard the Mamutzones’ bells, it resonated through my whole body. The masks, the fire, that energy are truly one of a kind. I bring my children here every year to feel the magic. The smoke, music, laughter, and a little fear… Meeting a local mask-maker and hearing the stories behind the hand-carved masks was the highlight for me.

Fun Facts

The cowbells worn by the Mamutzones can weigh nearly 10 kg each and echo throughout the village.
All the masks are hand-carved by local artisans using traditional tools and wood.
The soot smeared by the Mamutzones is considered a charm for good luck.