Su Voe Jacu

The mask of “su Voe Jacu” represents a man who surrenders to temptation by turning into an ox. The figure roamed the streets of the village at night accompanied by rattling chains, pulling a cart full of the dead’s souls. According to tradition, it would stop in front of the houses of those who were about to die and bellow. The bellowing was only heard by family members and friends of the future deceased. In the Ancient Carnival of Siniscola, it is the mask that represents Death and it is the one who, after the sacrifice of S’Orcu, pulls the cart, closing the Carnival. The Church, during its work of Christianisation of Sardinia, tried to erase this mask but, not succeeding, transformed its name into “Bue di San Giacomo”, linking the figure to the church built in Siniscola in honour of the Saint.