Sardinian traditions of 31 October and 1 November

If you think 31 October is just ‘Halloween’, it is time to discover that here in Sardinia we have our own version of these celebrations. Sardinian traditions linked to these dates are a fascinating mix of ancient pagan customs and Catholic influences, with rituals and symbols that carry on the bond with our ancestors and nature.

 

The Night of the Souls: Not Just Halloween!

While many around the world prepare to celebrate Halloween, in Sardinia 31 October has a deeper meaning. Our version of this night is called ‘Sas Animas’ or ‘Is Animeddas’, and is dedicated to the commemoration of the dead. In different parts of the island, especially in small villages, children dress up in simple clothes and, armed with bags, go from house to house asking for gifts with the formula: ‘Carchi cosa pro sas animeddas?’ (‘Do you have something for the souls?’).

The custom is to give sweets, dried fruit or small gifts, just like our ‘Dolcetto o Scherzetto’ (Trick or Treat), but with a much more traditional meaning. The children, in return, recite prayers for the dead of the families they visit, keeping alive a tradition that unites the worlds of the living and the spirits.

 

1 November: All Saints' Day

The following day, 1 November, All Saints' Day is celebrated throughout Italy, a Catholic holiday dedicated to all saints. In Sardinia, this holiday has a strong connection with respect and remembrance of the dead. Families visit cemeteries to care for the graves of their loved ones, bringing flowers and lighting candles. But that is not all: in many Sardinian homes, a special table is prepared, with bread, wine and typical sweets, left in the belief that the souls of the deceased will return for one night to visit their loved ones.

 

The Food of the Souls

One of the most fascinating details of the Sardinian traditions of All Saints' Day is the food prepared in honour of the dead. This gesture has its roots in ancient pagan rituals, where it was believed that souls returned to visit the living during this night of passage between worlds. Some of the typical sweets prepared include the bread of the dead, made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar and almonds, or su pistiddu, a kind of sweet filled with sapa, a thick liquor obtained by cooking grape must.

Although today these traditions are often integrated with modern influences such as Halloween, in many towns in Sardinia the ritual of leaving an empty chair at the table and a meal to symbolically welcome the souls of the dead continues to be kept alive.

 

A Bridge between the Past and the Future

The traditions of 31 October and 1 November in Sardinia are a window on an ancient world, where respect for the dead and the cycle of life are central to the celebrations. If you visit Sardinia during this period, you will notice a unique atmosphere: the tranquillity of small villages, processions in cemeteries lit by hundreds of candles, and that sense of connection between past and present that makes these days so special.

Whether you are Sardinian or discovering these customs for the first time, get involved in the magic of these celebrations. Take a piece of our culture with you and, why not, the next time you happen to celebrate Halloween, think about preparing a typical Sardinian treat as well, remembering that, behind every celebration, there is always an ancient history to discover.