SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Upon his safe return from the Crimean War (1856c.) Antonio Manca in gratitude made a vow to distribute ‘bread and cheese’ to the village children. Subsequent wars – but also the occurrence of local vendettas – have guaranteed continued participation in the feast. In June 2012, Cosimo Zene, a local anthropologist, returned to the village of Nule to produce a film together with documentary film director Ignazio Figus. The film recounts the preparation and the celebration of the feast-day (13 June, St Anthony of Padua), highlighting the leading role of Antonianzela – the last direct descendant of Antonio Manca – her memories of the past and apprehension for the future. The active participation of the villagers, with gifts and manpower, manifests the survival of the gift-giving system (‘Imbiatu’, from imbiare, to send), which has figured prominently in village life until recently. Although several forms of gift-giving have faded away, this feast acts as a catalyst keeping the main forms of Imbiatu alive. The filming location is Antonianzela’s house, where gifts of cheese, sheep, foodstuffs (and money) are brought by the villagers, to then be processed and redistributed to the ‘whole village’. The idea of ‘totality’ constitutes the model of a ‘perfect (human) gift’ recalling Mauss’s definition of ‘total social fact: i.e. the fulfilment of the Vow, through the Imbiatu, must reach the whole village and beyond.