A mysterious woman with an unusual calling.
The Accabadora and Her Calling
The Accabadora, a mysterious and respected figure of Sardinian folklore, offers a unique historical glimpse into life on the Italian island of Sardinia. Her role and practice reflect deep cultural roots and a singular tradition that evolved and transformed over time.
The Accabadora was a woman with an unusual calling — to help the dying pass on to the “blessed life”. This enigmatic figure carried out the ritual ending of life for those suffering from incurable illnesses or unbearable pain. Her role was seen as an act of mercy, ensuring the dying a dignified and gentler passage into the afterlife. In Sardinian culture, this practice had its place in village communities, where the Accabadora would arrive at the end of a person’s life.
Sardinian Euthanasia
The historical context of the Accabadora is set in the village world, where this enigmatic figure entered the lives of families at times of confrontation with the inevitability of death. Her presence was understood as an act of compassion and care, easing the passage between life and death. Although from the standpoint of modern ethics this practice would be seen as controversial, in its historical context it gained recognition as a distinctive aspect of Sardinia’s cultural heritage.
As times changed and social values shifted, the practice of the Accabadora was gradually suppressed. Modern laws and the arrival of advanced healthcare brought a new approach to caring for the dying, different from the traditional practices of the Accabadora. Even so, her story and role in Sardinian culture remain a subject of fascination and study.
Want to Learn More About the Accabadora?
Would you like to find out more about this mysterious figure? I recommend reading the book “Accabadora”, published in 2009 and written by the Italian author Michela Murgia. In this book, Murgia explores the Sardinian tradition of the Accabadora that we have discussed here. The book is a literary portrait of the Accabadora, while also examining the historical, ethical and social questions connected with this tradition. The novel has been translated into many languages, including a Czech edition published in 2014 by Paseka.
“Accabadora” has won numerous awards and has been translated into several languages. Murgia became known for her way of combining local Sardinian culture with a deep human and ethical focus. Her work often reflects her engagement with social and political issues.
The Museum Where You Can Learn More About This Woman
In the inland part of northern Sardinia lies the small town of Luras, known among other things for the Accabadora Museum. The museum was established to preserve and present the historical and cultural context of this fascinating tradition. The exhibitions offer information about the Accabadora, her role in Sardinian culture and the historical background. You will also find the “Accabadora’s Hammer” here — the instrument used in the ritual ending of life for those suffering from incurable illnesses or pain.
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