The Southern Sardinian Tradition of the Mutetu Longu: A Functional Analysis
- Volume 24, Number 1
- Paulu Zedda
- View PDF | Download PDF
- http://journal.oraltradition.org/issues/24i/zedda
Abstract
The mutetu longu is a traditional genre of Sardinian oral poetry that is still performed in the southern part of Sardinia. According to this tradition, three or more improvisers challenge one another on stage before an audience, singing stanzas accompanied by a guttural male chorus or by guitar. The first part of this article provides a description of the whole phenomenon, including some historical background and a brief explanation of the social context, followed by a discussion of the complexity of the metrical structure that strongly characterizes it. The latter section analyzes the way the inner mechanisms work, evaluating the functional reasons behind the mutetu’s particular metrical structure (which reaches high levels of formal complexity and redundancy), the relevance of memory in the elaboration of the poetic text, and the flow of time and its perception.
eCompanion
Thematic map of Sardinia indicating the territories of main diffusion in reference to the four traditional systems.
Graphic: Elaborated by the author.
The events preceeding the performance at a typical Campidanese gathering (Festival of Santa Barbara in Sinnia).
Video: Marco Lutzu.
The front and inside pages of a booklet with the manual transcription of a cantada dated 1898.
Photo: From the private collection of Paulu Zedda.
Front and inside pages of a printed booklet reporting the transcription of a cantada held in 1947.
Photo: From the private collection of Paulu Zedda.
The audience of a cantada. In the front row are some devotees with their tape recorders.
Photo: Antoni Dessì.
The audience of a cantada. Basciu e contra, the two-man chorus, is visible on the right.
Photo: Antoni Dessì.
A group of friends sing verses accompanied by a guitar at a familiar get-together.
Photo: Paolo Pilleri.
Paulu Zedda, Robertu Zuncheddu, Marcu Melis, and Sarbadori Marras wait for the beginning of the cantada.
Photo: Robertu Corona.
