10. Sa Traditzione

During the journey of discovery through Loculi, young Alice stops to gaze at the path she has taken, reflecting on the past. Assured by Claudia and accompanied by Federica, Francesca, and Mauro, the young Alices in the foreground and Franca in the background represent the new generation of Loculi and the entire island. They bear the responsibility of learning and passing down the collective identity of the village.

Alice’s static pose signifies the reflection on the importance of this mission, while Franca’s slight run embodies enthusiasm and pride.

The significant female presence details the traditional attire described in photo 9. On the left, you can observe the traditional male attire.

The last man to wear the full traditional attire in Loculi lived around 1970. The male traditional attire consists of the following elements:

• Sa Berritta: A black tubular-shaped cloth head covering about sixty centimeters long, with rounded edges. It is worn folded multiple times and bordered with red fabric;
• Sa Camisa: A white cotton shirt with embroidered collar, armholes, and cuffs. The fabric is pleated with stylized and geometric motifs. Silver and gold-plated buttons fasten the collar and cuffs;
• Su Corpette: A red fabric vest covered with blue velvet and double-breasted;
• Su Cartzones de tela: White cotton trousers that reach mid-calf, worn inside the gaiters;
• Su Cartzone de furesi: Black orbace fabric, pleated and internally bordered with red ribbon, a cloth that reaches mid-thigh. A thin strip of fabric connects the front and back of the skirt-like garment, passing under the crotch of the pants. Two pockets lined with gray fabric are present on the sides;
• Sas Cartzas: Orbace fabric gaiters with upper folds and bordered with red ribbon at the bottom. They cover the calf and end in a rounded shape, partially concealing the shoes. They are secured with a lace below the knee;
• Sos bottinos: Black leather shoes, similar to ankle boots, closed at the front with laces;
• Sa Chintoria: A brown leather belt with red velvet trim.

The setting of the photo is an opportunity for a brief exploration of Loculi’s historic center. Buildings, streets, materials, shapes, and means used are not merely architectural testimonies; they manifest cultural, economic, and social aspects of the place and are irreplaceable expressions of its identity.

Over time, the oldest part of Loculi has undergone substantial modifications and demolitions, including emblematic buildings like the Church of Sa Defessa.

However, some intrinsic qualities of the urban fabric remain visible, marked by the type of traditional houses constructed with stone, brick, and wood for floors and roofs. The Cedrino River was the source of rounded and polished pebbles that are still visible on the facades of historic buildings, as well as clay used to produce raw earth bricks. The traditional house is organized around a large courtyard where animals, tools, and inhabitants would gather. The presence of livestock within the settlement meant that the open areas exceeded the covered areas of houses and outbuildings. The traces of su narile, the fixture for tying oxen or donkeys, can still be seen on the walls.

Chickens, pigs, sheep, oxen, and horses have disappeared from the town center, and the vacant spaces have partly been turned into gardens. The system of private courtyards is a distinctive feature of the settlement, particularly visible in Loculi and common in many Sardinian towns.