While Halloween is celebrated in many parts of the world with costumes, sweets, and parties, Sardinia preserves ancient and spiritual traditions that unite October 31st and November 1st into a period of remembering the dead and celebrating life. The festivities of “Is Animeddas” in the south, and “Su Mortu Mortu” or “Sas Ànimas” in the north, are rituals that blend sacred and profane elements, passed down through generations.
“Is Animeddas”: Sardinia’s Unique Halloween Tradition
In southern Sardinia, particularly in the Campidano region, the night between October 31st and November 1st is known as “Is Animeddas”. Children walk through the streets of towns or villages, knocking on doors and asking for gifts. In return, they receive dried fruits, sweets, bread, and, in more modern times, candy and chocolates. This tradition is somewhat reminiscent of the classic “trick or treat” from Halloween, but its roots are much older, linked to the veneration of souls and the idea of giving gifts to ensure the goodwill of the spirits of the deceased.
“Su Mortu Mortu” and “Sas Ànimas” in Northern Sardinia
In northern Sardinia, the celebrations take on slightly different nuances. In the Sassari and Gallura areas, the festival is known as “Su Mortu Mortu” or “Sas Ànimas”, and like “Is Animeddas”, children go from house to house asking for offerings for the souls of the departed.
Here too, traditional treats like pane de sos mortos (a sweet bread prepared for the occasion) and dried fruits are among the most common gifts. In the past, products of the land, such as chestnuts, almonds, walnuts, dried figs, and quince, were distributed as symbols of abundance and prosperity.
The Festival of Souls: A Blend of Sacred and Profane
The celebrations of October 31st and November 1st in Sardinia are deeply connected to the veneration of the souls of the deceased. It is not just about remembering loved ones who have passed, but rather a form of communication with the afterlife. In the past, families would set up richly adorned tables on the evening of October 31st, leaving food on the table to nourish the souls of the departed, who were believed to return that night to visit their loved ones.
This ancient worship of the souls is closely tied to the cycles of nature and the land, during a time of year when autumn fully manifests itself with warm colors and shorter days.
Traditional Sweets of the Period: A Taste of Sardinia
During these festivities, you can taste some of the delicious treats typical of Sardinian tradition, prepared especially for November 1st. Among the most representative sweets are:
- Su Pabassinu: a sweet made with raisins, walnuts, and almonds, enriched with spices and topped with sugar glaze.
- Is Ossus de Mortu: also known as “bones of the dead”, these are crunchy biscuits made with sugar, almonds, and egg whites, shaped to resemble human bones, symbolizing death and rebirth.
- Pane de sos mortos: a sweet bread prepared especially for this occasion, symbolizing sharing and remembrance.
If you have the chance to visit Sardinia during this period, we highly recommend immersing yourself in these unique traditions. Not only will you discover the most authentic and mysterious side of the island, but you will also have the opportunity to taste traditional sweets and witness ancient rites that, even today, continue to connect the past with the present.
