For almost two months the oxen have been forced to rest and tractors are responsible for carrying the statues of the saints in procession, thus depriving the village festivals of the island of a part of their tradition.

Lumpy skin disease is not only putting a strain on Sardinia's livestock sector, but also on the farmers who provide oxen for religious festivals and processions.

The Piddiu family from Villa San Pietro, Sardinia is one of the most structured in serving the yoke of oxen and chariot to parishes and celebration committees: but since the epidemic broke out which forced the ASL and the Region to adopt a series of measures, for the brothers Igor and Samuele, and their sons Francesco and Nicola the trips far and wide around the island have ended .

"We've been taking our oxen around Sardinia for thirty years now, and with the exception of a brief period three years ago involving the blue tongue, we've never been stopped for so long," says Igor Piddiu. "Ours is a family tradition; my uncle was a cartwright , and my grandfather before him. The situation escalated on July 2nd, when cattle traffic was blocked, initially only for Barbagia, then for other areas as well. Our first meeting, scheduled for three days later in Nuragus, was cancelled. Today, we're living day by day, constantly asking the ASL Veterinary Service for advice. We've been told the blockade should end by the end of August, but we fear it will continue into September."

Up to seventy events a year , village festivals that carry the yoke of the Piddiu brothers and sons as far as Santa Teresa di Gallura: the work of the carradoris of Villa San Pietro, who founded the "Su ju de bois" association, is an activity that keeps them busy well beyond the period of the events where their presence is required. "Let's say we start working after Sant'Efisio, although we also have some events in the winter months," says Igor Piddiu, "and throughout the summer we are busy two or three times a week. Raising oxen requires constant commitment and, above all, a lot of money. We currently have a yoke of two adult oxen, plus four that we are training: the money we earn from the festivals also covers the costs of keeping the animals and transporting them. The lockdown has caused us to lose around 12,000 euros so far: if we weren't able to resume work in September, we would lose 20,000. Considering that forage and feed costs around 15,000 euros a year, bovine dermatitis risks putting not only us in difficulty, but everyone who does our job."

But the love for this long-standing family tradition is stronger than the difficulty, which is why Igor and Samuele Piddiu are passing on their love of oxen to their children: "Francesco is 19 and Nicola is 18," says Igor Piddiu. "They are very young, but they accompany us on our travels with such passion; the future of the family tradition is in their hands."

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