Sardinia: Women, History, Books and Places

Marianna Bussalai, a poet and anti-Fascist activist from the Barbagia region, expressed her frustration at school for not mentioning Sardinia's history in Italy. This book explores the unique personality of Sardinia, which has been inhabited for longer than many European countries and has a rich history of megalithic towers and clay statuettes. The island has been invaded and colonized by various groups, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Muslims, Catalans, Genoese, Pisans, Spaniards, and Savoyards, leading to a diverse cultural landscape. Despite this, Sardinia remains distinct, with its own languages and traditions, such as the aura of Catalan occupation in Alghero, the intransigent Barbagia of Marianna Bussalai, and the powerful historical woman Eleanora d Arborea, who ruled as Giudicessa in the fourteenth century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Holo Books The Arbitration Press

Marianna Bussalai, a poet and anti-Fascist activist from the Barbagia region, expressed her feelings of humiliation while attending school. She pondered the absence of Sardinia's mention in the history of Italy, wondering why it had been overlooked. Bussalai's deduction led her to believe that Sardinia was a distinct entity with its own history. It is not uncommon for islands to exhibit differences from the countries they are associated with, but Sardinia stands out in its uniqueness compared to Italy. This book delves into exploring that difference through the experiences of the women of Sardinia.

Sardinia boasts a long and rich history, with its earliest inhabitants being the pre-historic Nuraghic people. Among the most striking remnants of their civilization are the hundreds of towering megalithic towers that still grace the island's landscape. However, it is through the discovery of numerous clay statuettes found in ritual wells that we gain insight into the lives of women during that time. These statuettes, now housed in archaeological museums like Cagliari, provide a window into the daily lives and societal roles of women in Sardinia.

Throughout its history, Sardinia has witnessed numerous invasions, colonizations, and settlements by various cultures, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Muslims, Catalans, Genoese, Pisans, Spaniards, and Savoyards. These migrations often brought women into exile or as landowners, shaping the island's demographic and cultural landscape. However, it was during the First World War that Sardinia experienced a particularly significant period of Italian influence. As the Swede Amelie Posse-Brazdova, who was exiled in Alghero during that time, wrote, the Sardinians had been deceived and exploited by the Italians, particularly the Genoese merchants, to the point where they began to view them as their adversaries.

Despite this historical enmity, it is evident that Sardinia has maintained its distinct identity and culture. The island continues to thrive with its own languages, customs, and traditions. Alghero, for instance, exudes a distinctive aura of Catalan occupation, reflecting the cultural influence of the Catalans who settled there. Marianna Bussalai, another prominent figure from Sardinia, contributes to the island's unique character with her poetry and activism, highlighting the struggles and aspirations of the Sardinian people.

In conclusion, Sardinia's history, culture, and identity are intricately intertwined, making it a fascinating and distinctive region. Through the exploration of its women and the preservation of its archaeological heritage, we gain a deeper understanding of the island's rich tapestry and its place within the broader context of Italy and Europe.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781919631806