Seven kilometers of toil, of faith. There are daughters, mothers, grandmothers. For each, every step has a different meaning. It's an inner purification, a liberation after the suffering experienced during the year that many prefer not to talk about. It's 9 a.m. sharp when 400 barefoot women arrive at the entrance to the village: their families, but also many tourists, welcome them, and Monsignor Giuseppe Sanna: "Well done, well done!"
They arrived in the village of San Salvatore after walking eight kilometers along the dirt paths of the Sinis Mountains to transport Santu Srabadoeddu from the church of Santa Maria in Cabras to the ancient village . For them, it's a duty, a way to stay calm all year round. This is what they say after hours of toil, prayers, songs, and tears. They set off at dawn wearing the village's traditional costume. As always, the explosion of firecrackers announces that the ancient rite is about to begin. Amidst that human procession, many prayers can be heard; otherwise, there's absolute silence. Some smile, others retreat, keeping their heads down.
But there are also those who cry because this time everything is different . For Carola Pinna, 17, and Rosalba Loi, 50, daughter and wife of Luigi Pinna, who passed away recently, the journey of faith was more difficult this time: "We chatted with him the whole time," they say once they reached their destination. "He encouraged us; it was beautiful. He even told us he himself is ready for the Barefoot Race." But then the emotion becomes so great: for Rosalba and Carola, it becomes difficult to continue sharing their emotions.
The small statue will remain on display in the village church until Monday, September 8th , the day of Santu Srabadoeddu's return to Cabras. The women will retrace the same route, and only then will the vow be fulfilled. The celebrations begin today in the small ladrini houses. The next thrills will be experienced next Saturday. Running along the same Sinis paths will be the barefooted people, 900 in total, carrying the statue of the Saint on their shoulders. And the tears will be even more intense. For everyone.