Sa Carrela 'e Nanti

In the municipality of Santu Lussurgiu, a very special carnival takes place every year, "Sa Carrela 'e Nanti"-that is, the "street in front." It is one of the wildest horse parade races in Sardinia. The festivities last three days and begin on Sunday - preceding Mardi Gras - when the riders embark on this mad rush at full speed, wearing, according to tradition, a mask or painting their faces. The race - along what is now Rome Street, about 350 meters downhill - also takes place with two or three horsemen who, like true acrobats, stay "together" with the arm of one on the arm of the other to symbolize solidarity and unity. Monday is known as "Su Lunisi de sa Pudda"-that is, "Monday of the Hen"-and during the second day of the festival another fun competition is held in which horsemen at a gallop must throw a puppet in the likeness of a chicken to the ground with a stick. This engaging carnival then ends - during Mardi Gras - with the awarding of prizes to the riders who won the competitions of the first two days of the festival.