Dario Ballore

Mask maker

©Sara Muggittu

The face of Sardinian tradition

Dario preserves Sardinian tradition through mask making
He uses local alder and carves the faces according to a set framework
On request, he opens his workshop to visitors of the Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee in Mamoiada

Dario Ballore is a traditional mask maker who has been specialising in making the Mamuthones masks since 1995. The Mamuthones are a typical figure of the Carnival of Mamoiada, a town in the Sardinian hinterland in the province of Nuoro where Dario grew up and still lives and works. These figures are characterised by a black mask with a sad and wrinkled expression. Today, the Mamuthones are an international symbol of Sardinian folklore, parading yearly during the Saint Anthony celebrations and carnival. "The growing demand for masks from tourists visiting Mamoiada's carnival and the Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee drove me to devoting my time to this craft," says Dario. He learned mask making on his own, having grown up surrounded by the tradition of the Mamuthones in his hometown. Dario also makes masks for collectors and wooden souvenirs for tourists, practising greater freedom in these creations through reinterpreting the shapes and colours of Sardinian tradition.

Interview

©Sara Muggittu

©Sara Muggittu

Is your craft tied to ancient local origins?: There were no artisans specialised in this production before Sardinia became a popular destination for international tourism. The masks of the Mamuthones were exclusively made at home for carnival celebrations.
Do you think your profession is in danger of disappearing?: I would say that my craft has never been as prosperous as in recent decades. From the 1960s onwards, and especially in the 1990s, tourists started visiting the region, and this turned the Mamuthones' masks into collectors' items. There was a revival in the interest for this local tradition, as well as a desire to preserve and protect it.
How do you make your masks?: As part of a traditional ritual, the mask of the Mamuthones must respect precise parameters. It must be made out of wood, coloured in black and feature a big nose and a sad, dark grin. I use local blocks of wood, such as alder, and I give the mask the desired shape using a mallet and chisel before finishing it off by colouring it.
What does artfully-made mean to you?: The definition of artfully-made implies the concept of uniqueness and tradition. A handcrafted object requires the application of knowledge gained through years of experience, making the artisan feel like they are the heir of a savoir-faire.

Dario Ballore is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2000