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The Mamuthones of Mamoiada  This is a spectacular reproduction of an ancient battle, which took place between the Sardinian people and the Moors. According to popular tradition 'i Mamuthones' represent the Saracen prisoners who were captured in the battle. The fascinating procession, made up of people dressed in heavy animal skins, with their faces covered by wooden masks, tied on by handkerchiefs, slowly winds through the streets to the rhythmic beat of the heavy cowbells they carry on their shoulders.  It is a solemn ceremony and 'I Mamuthones' form an orderly parade, which is both a procession and a dance. The 'Mamuthone' prisoners are tied to the 'Issokadores', the other protagonists of this event, by a leather strap and are led through the streets. The latter are more agile and jump and skip, then suddenly cast their ropes into the crowd and pull towards them the "prisoner" they have chosen among the spectators. The 'Issokadores' represent the victorious Sardinians, whilst the 'Mamuthones', symbolically bound and tied, are the Moors.
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