Bardana
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The Bardanas ( Italian Bardana (reato) ) called raids by Sardinian shepherds are documented from Roman times to the 19th century. They emerged as an act of self-defense against the attacks of the various occupiers, who were never able to control the mountain region. A popular reprisal was to steal the flocks of the shepherds, later called mountain sards, or to kill the animals and set the forests on fire. In response, the mountain dwellers expressed their solidarity on raids in the coastal regions, where rich booty was to be expected. The Roman historians already report on these circumstances.
The Sardinian term “Balentia”, the male shepherd's honor, comes from the time of the fight against the Aragonese . Over the centuries, this idea changed to pure forays, which spread to other pastoral communities. During this time the special form of Sardinian banditry arose.
On November 13, 1894, a good 500 men from Orgosolo attacked the coastal town of Tortolì . They were after the property of a large landowner. The men stormed the barracks of the Carabinieri and staged a slaughter there, which they extended to the place. Almost all of the male residents were killed.