Transumanza 2024
Troina, Sicily

Transumanza 2024

Steve

Celebrating our donkey on Endangered Species Day

This past weekend we had the pleasure of taking part in our town's 2024 Transumanza, which is, you may recall from our post on last year's event, the practice, or, in official animal husbandry-speak, transhumance, of moving livestock from one grazing ground to another in a seasonal cycle, typically to lowlands in winter and highlands in summer.

This year's two day event took place a month earlier due to drought conditions in Sicily, and was also our first time doing both days. Last year, we did just the march from the valley to the town. But this time, we met our special, friendly herd again the next morning to finish the transfer up into the Nebrodi mountains, where they will stay until the Fall.

If you're interested, here is a link to last year's story and video we shared.

You may also recall the particulars around this particular donkey, from a story Franca wrote titled, A Mayor, the Mafia, and Donkeys. In it she shares how the Ragusano, one of only eight indigenous donkey breeds recognized by the Italian Ministry, and listed since 2007 by the UN as endangered, has become a symbol of the struggle to displace crime with bold, courageous community-based action.

The work to save this rare breed of animal is not finished, however, as coincidentally May 17 is Endangered Species Day, a day in which thousands of people celebrate, learn, and take action to protect threatened and endangered species. Around the world, wildlife refuges, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals will hold special programs or events. To find an event near you, check here.

We are proud of Troina and how it has adopted many of the old ways of raising animals, one that is more fostering of a symbiotic, reciprocal relationship with these creatures, and see hope for a future where all living things on our planet share in the benefit of shared responsibility, action and perseverance.

Here's a short two minute video we created to show this year's Transumanza. The joy you see on our faces, despite covering a distance uphill of nearly 15 miles in the two day journey, is genuine. This truly has become one of the unique events we look forward to every year in our Sicily hilltown home. Please feel free to share it with others.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Ciao,
SLG

Transumanza, Troina, Sicily 2024

Show your love & support

As an independent, reader-funded operation, I rely on the backing of readers willing and able to financially support work of this nature. Behind my desk there is just me, seeking to prove in any way that I can, unencumbered by shareholders or billionaire owners, that it is possible to cut through the bullshit of what we're taught about life and find the means to live longer, better, with less, wherever we are. If you find my writing here to be living up to those intentions or otherwise enriches your own life in any way, please consider supporting it in one of two ways listed below. Your support makes all the difference!

♲   Invite a Friend: Don't toss it away, recycle and share what you read here with others you know who might like to read it too. Email, Facebook, LinkedIn, wherever else you fancy spending your online social time, every mention helps!

☯︎   Be Yin to My Yang: Most of what you'll read here is free, it's everything else that costs money. Become a paid subscriber for as little as $5 per month, or make a one-time donation in any amount, to help me bring balance between the two. 

Comments


} .footer-social-item-rss { display: none; }