Trashumancia, Chapter I
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Trashumancia by Clàudia Grosche, Chapter I
Trashumancia (transhumance) is the long-distance seasonal displacement of a herd, so that animals can pasture all year long, typically to lowlands in winter and highlands in summer. It dates as far back as the Middle Ages and it has not disappeared, rather it has been modernised due to technological improvements.
In the late 90’s, Jaume’s father died and he took over the family farm. For him, trashumancia is a hobby, a way to stay connected to his roots; he couldn’t live without it. Jaume sticks to tradition, it’s all about family legacy. He walks because he is fond of it, and the animals. Five years ago, my father started helping him and this is the first time I've ever joined them.
In the late 90’s, Jaume’s father died and he took over the family farm. For him, trashumancia is a hobby, a way to stay connected to his roots; he couldn’t live without it. Jaume sticks to tradition, it’s all about family legacy. He walks because he is fond of it, and the animals. Five years ago, my father started helping him and this is the first time I've ever joined them.
My family has been going to Pallars Sobirà long before I was born. My parents, both mountain lovers, used to camp near Llac de Moncortès and, when I arrived, they started frequenting Casa Parramon in Peramea, Jaume’s rural accommodation. The first time I slept there I was one month old and there’s this family story that they had to shower me in the sink because I was so tiny. It’s funny, because even though we don’t own a house in the area, I have a very strong feeling of belonging. My memories are countless, and we’ve all become one big family.
Each spring, Jaume’s mares leave Peramea (900m) to climb to the top of the Llessuï mountains (2.500m), which offer food all summer long. These images show the process of herding the animals up into the mountains, an event which took place in mid-June 2020.
“We keep this tradition alive because it’s like a celebration for us.
As long as I feel well, I’ll keep walking with the mares.”
“Chiqueeees, Chiqueeees”
This is how Jaume calls his mares.
Keeping the tradition means walking all day. A total of 30km over a hugely uneven distance. It’s hard and demanding. Mares follow their own rhythm and stop along the way to eat, or even get lost, which means having to go and find them. It’s exhausting, but seeing the landscape change as I go up makes me realise how fortunate I am to be witnessing all of it.
Photography and words by Clàudia Grosche
Edited by Laura Beneyto
Keep reading
Traveller/s
Clàudia Grosche
Photographer
Clàudia Grosche (1996) is a photographer and visual artist based between Barcelona and Capçanes, a small village in the region of Priorat. She studied a Foundation in Photography at London College of Communication (UAL) and a BA in Media and Cultural Industries at University of Barcelona. Her work has an approach rooted to day-to-day today life. She has a strong bond with nature and the rural world and enjoys capturing people in their most natural state.
@claudiagrosche
