GIUANNA
The Sardinian Widow
2017
This 12-picture photojournalistic project looks at the representation of the Sardinian widow and her simple lifestyle, exploring just one side of the deep-rooted Sardinian culture.
Giovanna Cardia, named ‘Giuanna’, 89, lost her husband 17 years ago. Since then, she decided not to get married again and to live a life of devotion to her husband, her family and her faith.
This is her story.
Giuanna, 89, stands outside her husband’s house in Meana Sardo, Sardinia, dressed as the typical Sardinian widow.
7am. Breakfast. Giunna has been drinking her milky coffee from the same cup for over 20 years. “If I drink from another cup, my coffee won’t taste the same,” she says. On the left side, a typical Sardinian bread, ’Su Coccoi’; on the right side, a 19th century sugar bowl, la ‘Zuccarera’.
8am. After breakfast, Giunna prays for roughly half an hour in the morning before she starts her errands in the house and in the evening before she goes to bed. Catholicism is the main religion in Italy. Around 90% of the total population define themselves as Christian Catholic. In Sardinian villages, in particular, it is common for old ladies to rely on their faith in God, making Him integral part of their routine.
Giuanna usually prays in a room next to the kitchen; for her sons and grandsons, leaving a prayer at the end for her husband.
Black Dress for mourning and hat. Back to the 19th and 20th century, during mourning, Sardinian women had to wear the traditional black dress for all their lives or until they would marry again. The dress is full black but the shirt underneath is usually white, creating a certain contrast. Giunna has been wearing the Su Estiri Nieddu since her husband passed away, around 17 years ago. She did not get married again.
Giovanni Marras, named ‘Giuanni’, was Giuanna’s husband. He was born in 1917 in Meano Sardo, Sardinia. They got married in 1953 and he was 11 years older than her. In 1995, he got sick and only 5 years later, he died of bronchial pneumonia. Giuanna and Giuanni stayed together for almost 50 years.
Giuanna still wears her husband’s wedding ring and has been wearing it since he died in 2000. She never takes it off and that is why the ring wore thin.
One of the signs of old age is blindness. Giuanna’s eyes are brown but they are slowly changing colour to grey. She can only see dark figures but will eventually become completely blind in a couple of years.
Since Giuanna’s husband died, she moved to the guest room where it is now her bedroom. On the wall, it is possible to see a crucified Christ and the statue of Virgin Mary, all symbols of Catholicism.
Meana Sardo is a village situated at the heart of Sardinia in the province of Nuoro. In recent years, the village has witnessed a drop in the number of population from 2000 to 1500. The population is now mostly made up of old people, leaving the future of Meana Sardo hang by a thread. The youngest tend to move to Cagliari, capital of Sardinia, to find a better lifestyle and job opportunities. Giuanna has never left Meana Sardo in all her lifetime as other responsibilities made her stay at home
Crucified Christ outside a house in Meana Sardo. Religion plays a crucial role in the village as traditions and values still reigns in these abodes.
At the centre, two old ladies chatting in the street, wearing a typical white hat. Differently to Giuanna, they are not widows but they could be either ‘Zittelle’ (Spinsters) or still married.