Barbagia

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Barbagia is an area of inner Sardinia.

The name comes from Cicero, who described it as a land of Barbarians because Sardinians did not shave like the Romans did. The territory was also known as latrones mastrucati, "thieves with a rough garment in wool".

The area is usually divided into three Barbagias: the Barbagia di Ollolai, the Barbagia di Seùlo and the Barbagia di Mandrolisai. The latter is named after a sub-region, and the others after their main villages.

The area is full of hard hills, and there is little human presence. In fact, Barbagia is one of the least populated areas in Europe. These facts have allowed Barbagia to preserve its cultural and natural treasures. The language spoken is Sardo logudorese.

One of the most important towns is Gavoi, while the town of Orgosolo is, unfortunately, famous for bandits and kidnappers. Oliena has a reputation for its wines (especially the Nepente, a kind of Cannonau). Another important village is Fonni, being the highest town in Sardinia. More than 1000 meters above sea level. Fonni is also the gateway to the Gennargentu mountain system

Sardinia seems to show a close mentality, proud of its peculiarities, and Nugoro expresses this feeling as a typical state of mind. A proverb can explain, better than thousands of words, Sardinian mentality towards foreigners: "Furat chie benit dae su mare" = The one who comes from sea, is here to steal.

Criminality is effectively a relevant local problem, but the diffence of mentality with the Continent (and in general from Western habits) has to be considered while admitting a different social organisation and peculiar popularly felt behaviour codes. What is law on the Continent might be considered a social offense here (e.g. no one here considers it polite to show a personal identity document or to have anyone else's behaviour investigated), and vice versa (e.g. there is a noticeable difference about some words and gestures are considered, especially when considering "Honour" even though this is evident mostly in the smaller town nearby and disappearing). It has to be noted that in recent times this behaviour is somewhat reduced to folklore, as well as the criminality rates dwindling.

Economy: agriculture, sheep breeding, art and tradition related business, tourism and light industry.