Mamuthones of Mamoiada
Today, the Mamuthones is a carnival mask, but is also used to define the folk costume of Mamoiada. The literal meaning of the term Mamuthones, common all over Sardinia is "crazy person", "good for nothing" or "useless".
Mamuthones or Maimone, translated literally have the same meaning. Maimone is a minion of Dionysus, he followed the Dionastic court and dressed up to try to look like his master, while Mamunthones represents God Himself.
Mainoles, a term derived from Maimone, was the name given to Dionysus, god of drunkenness and ecstasy. The cult of Dionysus still retains his tragic aspect in these masks, a tragedy that was represented by his followers in terrifying ways. One of these scenes saw the sacrifice of a bull in the middle of a screaming horde. This ritual is still carried out in Mamioada during carnivals.
The Maimones vary from village to village; typical of Orgosolo is "Su Maimone e Fune" 8a person towed with a rope). In the past the village idiot wore the mask but when a village idiot could not be found, a poor forester would take his place. This person wore a mask of black wood about the face, typical of the Mamuthones of Mamoiada, his body was wrapped in black sheepskins and a rope was tied around his waist. At the other end, pulling the rope, there was the "Maimone Issocadore" wearing a mask and traditional clothing, so-called because he held the "soca"; a thick length of leather used to lead cattle. The Maimone pulled through the centre of the village represents the hunting of Dionysus.
