Comune di Loceri

Traditional Forms of Work

We are here in Loceri, the picturesque centre of Ogliastra, and we have the distinct impression of having taken a leap backwards in time.
An exhibition has been organised in the main square of the town for the purpose of re-experiencing, if only for a few hours, traditional forms of work which might otherwise be forgotten.This fascinating presentation of Traditional Forms of Work has been organised and sponsored by the Municipal Administration of Loceri.Town councillor Marinella Loi has taken responsibility for all the organisational aspects of the exhibition.
This evocative representation calls forth a remarkable flow of local inhabitants, tourists and Sardinians who, after emigrating from the island, have returned specifically for the occasion.
The exhibition also represents an opportunity to get to know the various attractions of Loceri, such as a church dedicated to Saint Peter and the murals, among the largest in Sardinia.
Many visitors decide to extend their knowledge of traditional work by visiting the adjacent Ethnographic Museum ‘Sa Domu è S’Olia’ in which are housed a number of archaeological finds testifying to the past of Loceri itself and Sardinia in general.
The present Museum ‘Sa Domu è S’Olia’ is a former mill dating to 1910, restored by the municipality in 1995. The museum was inaugurated in 2000.The construction is composed of three floors.
Once inside the museum, it is possible to view traditional field-working implements, various objects of everyday use, furniture and equipment, the local costumes of Loceri and toys.
You are now observing a representation of ironworking and of handworked stone by means of traditional methods
What you are watching now is a traditional procedure for the production of brandy.
You are now observing a reconstruction of the steps involved in the hand manufacturing of linen.
This is a demonstration of the construction of a piece of fruit harvesting equipment. This instrument is characterised by a rod which served to protect workers’ hands during the harvesting of prickly pears. It also permitted the picking of fruit situated high above the ground without the use of a ladder.
These women are demonstrating the procedure for the processing of wool, which was subsequently utilised for the production of rugs, mattresses and cushions. They are using a wool winder (arcilau in Sardinian), a wooden instrument which consists of four arms, around which the skein of linen, wool or cotton was placed and which, by turning on a pivot, permitted the winding of the skein, reducing it to balls of thread or yarn.
This woman is creating flowers from coloured paper. Traditionally, paper flowers were used for funeral wreaths as well as celebrations.

This is a practical demonstration of plant grafting.

The crocheting work of the women of Loceri is famous throughout Ogliastra. The two women you see now are teaching the various steps to those present; one of them is dressed in a traditional costume of Loceri.
Here we see a practical demonstration of the painstaking process of preparing flour and, in particular, the sifting process. A sifter (sedassu in Sardinian) is being utilised here. It is a circular utensil, made up of a screen of silk, canvas or honeycombed metal wire.

This instrument was used by women who, oscillating it by means of a rotary movement, separated the flour from the bran.This instrument was used by women who, oscillating it by means of a rotary movement, separated the flour from the bran.The sifter, during a pause in the process, was rested on a wooden stand known as "sa taula de scetai".
Here we see the various steps involved in bread-making.The dough is worked exclusively by hand.The bread of Loceri is packaged by means of a special, traditional embroidery technique, producing authentic masterpieces.

Bread with egg is still produced on Easter Monday, the traditional "Pasquetta".
You are now observing the preparation of culurgiones, based on a traditional recipe of Loceri.The dough for culurgiones was traditionally worked and stretched by hand; today, however, a machine is utilised in this process.

The filling of Is Culurgiones consists of boiled and mashed potatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh or dry mint and pecorino (sheep’s cheese).The ravioli are closed by means of a special embroidery technique, still carried out by hand, giving the culurgiones their characteristic oval shape.
And here we can see some of the marvellous embroidery work for which the women of Loceri are famous throughout Ogliastra.

These two women are demonstrating the process for obtaining the closely pleated skirts of the traditional costume of Loceri, utilising the "su ferru de pranciai".The traditional iron (in Sardinian, ferru de pranciai) is composed of an iron body which constitutes the case, in which embers taken from the fireplace or oven were placed and then reheated by means of charcoal.
Aerators are situated along the base of the case, permitting the passage of air which emerged from the vents in the cover in the form of residual gas.Aerators and vents allowed the burning charcoal inside to be continually revived. A key is located on the cover for opening and closing.On the back of the case is a gate valve, by means of which, holding the iron pointed upwards, the embers could be revived and also removed, in such a way that they did not emerge from the aerators and soil the piece to be ironed.
At times the gate valve was left open in order to increase a draft which was enhanced by a swinging motion of the arm.The handle, always nailed to the cover, was made either solely of iron, or of iron covered with wood.