Nurallao

The Traditional Costume of Nurallao

Nurallao, known in Sardinian Campidanese as Nuradda or Nuradha, is a village in the Sarcidano region, in the province of Cagliari. The territory preserves important prehistoric remains, including several nuraghi and the megalithic tomb of Aiodda, considered one of the most imposing in the Mediterranean. The place name derives from the Proto-Sardinian root nur (or mura), meaning “heap” or “wall”, historically attested as Nuradau in the 1388 peace treaty between Eleonora of Arborea and the Crown of Aragon.

Women’s dress

The everyday women’s dress is characterised by its layered headscarves: sa muncadori, a square black cotton cloth, is folded into a triangle to gather the hair and knotted at the nape; su muncadori mannu, in printed brown cotton, is also folded into a triangle, frames the face, wraps around the neck and is knotted at the nape. Sa camisa, the white cotton blouse, is pleated at the front with embroidery on the chest and cuffs, enhanced with lace on the closed collar fastened by a brooch. Sas pabisceddas, the bodice, is of blue brocatello with polychrome floral motifs, edged with a red cotton ribbon and laced at the front with a cross-tied red ribbon. Sa gunnedda, the blue- and red-striped cotton skirt, is fully pleated except for the front panel, which is covered by su deventali, the black tibet apron embroidered along the border.

Men’s dress

The festive men’s dress features sa berritta, the tubular black orbace cap with rounded edges, approximately sixty centimetres long, worn falling behind the head. Sa camisa, the white cotton shirt pleated at the front, is embroidered on the collar, cuffs and button placket. Su cropettu, the black orbace waistcoat, is double-breasted with a wide rounded neckline. Su gabbanu, the black orbace overcoat, has a hood, double breast, four front pockets, a back vent and a half-belt; it is lined with striped cotton. Sos cartzonis, the white cotton trousers reaching to mid-calf, are tucked into cartzas, black orbace gaiters bordered with velvet at the bottom, with a turned-down top and a tie below the knee. Sos cartzonis de roda, the black orbace pleated kilt bordered with velvet, mid-thigh in length, is secured by a narrow fabric strip joining front and back panels passing beneath the crotch. At the waist, sa brentera, the brown leather belt with a wide front pocket.

Jewellery & Accessories

The women’s jewellery of Nurallao is understated: sos giunchiglios, silver chains, complete the ensemble.