Sos Thurpos of Orotelli, Sardinia.

The word thurpos means blind and is a figure of the carnival without a wooden mask unlike the others present in the Barbagia carnivals. The Thurpos, in fact, roam around the village with their faces uncovered, their faces blackened by the cork ash that was burned during the dressing and they all dress in the same way: a black orbaceous coat called Su Gabbanu with a hood pulled down to cover the eyes and over the coat, like a shoulder strap, carry large ropes (on reinacru) or a leather belt from which hang bronze bells and cowbells called picarolos, brunzos, tintinnos, metallas and grillinos. Hanging from the waistband of the trousers, they carry a pumpkin full of wine and a glass made from an ox horn. Usually they advance in groups of three: two in front, embraced, in order to pull a wooden plow to symbolize the oxen yoked and led by the third, the shepherd. Beyond this trio it is also possible to see the Thurpos Sower that spreads bran as a sign of good luck and also the farrier Thurpos that follows the herd and mimics the ferrata of some ox. The Thurpos herd proceeds in an orderly manner to the main square of the town where it is possible to watch a Thurpos trio that loads a chosen person of the public to whom wine will be offered, and the same will not be released until he repay the Invitation. Everything continues until late evening, when the local tourist and the Thurpos themselves offer the public a tasting of local dishes and drinks with Sardinian music and dances in the background.