As cities develop around traditionally rural environments, those who made their living on farms and in the fields tend to get pushed aside or forced into industrial jobs in order to survive. In Madrid, Spain, however, shepherds are holding firm to their roots and to their rights.
Each year, herders parade their flocks down 78,000 miles of legal paths for livestock migrations. The journey takes the animals from the cooler highland pastures where they spend summer to the warmer, and safer, lowland for grazing in winter.
Children walk alongside the flocks dressed in traditional outfits.
The trek is known as “transhumance” and in previous years was used to transport nearly a million animals a year.
The festivity begins when the herders pay city hall the traditional 25 maravedis, a coin that was used in the 11th century.
Locals embrace the day of blending old world traditions with new world surroundings.
Who needs fancy floats when you have fluffy flocks?
Everyone tries their best to get the perfect view.
It’s a great way to remember how modern life has evolved, yet we do still rely on the past.
Could you imagine this happening in New York City?
Youngsters get an exciting and up close lesson in cultural history.
(via Design You Trust.)
The charming tradition dates back to the 1200s when herders were first granted the rights to guide their flocks along the route. What an incredible way to pay respect to their cultural heritage and current herders at the same time.
