Fiesta de la Trashumancia

The Fiesta de la Trashumancia is an annual festival held in Madrid, Spain, celebrating and commemorating the ancient tradition of transhumance shepherding 🐑. Trashumancia is a grazing practice where livestock is moved from one place to another according to seasonal changes, in search of better climate and more pasture 🌿. The history of the Fiesta de la Trashumancia dates back to 1418 📜, when the Madrid City Council and the Mesta (a shepherds' association) signed an agreement allowing shepherds to pass through the city's roads by paying a fee of 50 maravedís (an old currency) per year. This agreement protected the Spanish livestock paths (vías pecuarias), which were established specifically for the migration of livestock 🐂. The customs of the Fiesta de la Trashumancia include the following aspects: Every autumn (usually at the end of October), thousands of sheep (sometimes accompanied by bulls and horses) are led by shepherds through the streets of Madrid, from the suburbs to the city center. Shepherds dress in traditional attire, such as black berets, wide red belts, and wooden shoes. In front of the City Hall, there are folk dances and music performances, such as the jota (a Spanish dance), along with sounds made by whistles and drums. The mayor greets the shepherds and collects the fees stipulated in the 1418 agreement. The mayor also gives a speech praising the importance and value of transhumance shepherding. The sheep continue on, passing through Plaza de Cibeles, reaching Plaza de Colón, then turning towards the square near the Royal Palace (Palacio de Oriente) and the Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena), where the celebration continues. Finally, two black oxen pull a wooden cart to a stop in front of the City Hall, marking the end of the festival. The next day, the sheep leave Madrid to spend the winter in the Guadarrama River area (Parque Regional del Río Guadarrama). #Spain #MadridTranshumanceFestival #Madrid #StudyAbroad #MyDailyLife