The tuna hunt

in Portoscuso






Towards the end of May, in the narrow strait of sea that separates the island of San Pietro from Portoscuso ( gloss. ), a spectacular ceremony that seems like a festival but has nothing in common with the numerous religious feasts that take place every month of the year in Sardinia, take place. This ceremony is not tied to the celebration of a saint, it is, instead, the tuna crossing ( gloss. ).

There was a period of time in which -- due to pollution in the sea -- the tuna changed their route. But in recent years they have renewed their original itinerary down the coast of Sardinia. When the exact time arrives for the crossing, the fishermen prepare their siting boats and fishing nets ( gloss. ). So called "death rooms" ( gloss. ) are arranged on shore.



Only the Rais - head of the fishing hunt ( gloss. ) - has the right to remain inside the cage in which the tuna will be driven. He directs the operation on foot in the boat. The position of the Rais is so coveted and prestigious that it is passed down from father to son through an extended apprenticeship based on obedience and experience. Only those who have demonstrated possession of both qualitites, in addition to courage and leadership, have the possibility of becoming Head of the Tuna Hunt. The tuna hunt ( gloss. ) begins when the tuna are led into the death room.



The event is actually much more than a simple craft, and that is why we are discussing it in this periodical. It's about a true and proper ceremonial ritual made up of precise commands and gestures fixed in time ( gloss. ) and a popular festival in which the entire community participates. The crossing of thetuna is, in fact, an event that is held in great anticipation not only by the fishermen and their families ( gloss. ) who depend on fishing as their main source of income and livlihood, but by the gene the entire village as well.



The elements of the festival are varied: the brilliant colors of the sun ( gloss. ) with the sea as a background, the feverish preliminary activities, the vivid, blood red colors of the harpooned tuna ( gloss. ), and, all around, the cries of the fishermen ( gloss. ) (the tuna hunters) and the many spectators: screams that incite the fishermen to overcome the vitality of the tuna and participate in the joy of the hunt. And grief for the destiny of their prey. A cruel ritual, yet fascinating at the same time, judging from the number of visitors who arrive in the area just to witness this ancient rite, and participate in an event that has become a popular feast and a traditional tourist attraction.



Film: La Mattanza (AVI 3,8 Mb; MOV 2,8 Mb).