Transhumance is a method of pastoralism or nomadism that involves livestock moving from their summer pasture to their winter pasture in the course of the year. The practice of transhumance was prevalent in Europe in prehistoric times. Studies of the isotopes in livestock bones indicate that animals were frequently moved during the winter. The practice of vertical transhumance is prevalent in montane regions, such as the summer movement between higher pastures and the winter movement between lower valleys. Herders usually live in valleys where they have a permanent home. In general, only the herds travel, with a certain number of people necessary to tend them, while the majority of the population lives at the base. Compared with horizontal transhumance, vertical transhumance is more susceptible to weather, political, or economic disruptions.
Droving is a practice that involves moving livestock "on the hoof" over long distances. This practice is used to transport large herds over long distances, sometimes several hundred kilometers, and was done by shepherds. It dates back to the 14th century when shepherds and their dogs were first documented. Typically, the owner entrusts this stock to a drover or agent, who will take it to market and bring back the proceeds. Traditional routes were used by drovers for traveling their flocks and herds, along with overnight shelters and fodder. Travel time can range from a few days to months. In order to ensure that the animals arrived in good condition, they had to be driven carefully. A prior agreement would have to be reached to pay for the lost stock, for animals born on the journey, and for sales of produce created on the journey. Prior to the development of provincial banking, drovers returned to base carrying substantial sums of money. Having great trust, the drover might carry money or important letters to be banked in the market town, and take people who had not traveled there before. Some stock might be sold to other drovers at intervening markets, so drivers might not take all of the stock on their journey. The new drovers would complete deliveries.
The submitted states are still practicing seasonal migration to high pastures, except in their most popular tourist centers, despite increased tourism and industry contributions today. This phenomenon, however, is widespread across the globe. Recently, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, and Spain, are submitted state candidates for the Transhumance, seasonal droving of livestock to UNESCO as a world heritage.
References
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droving) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_transhumance) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumance#Balkans) |Subject=Craftsmanship and Practices |Country=Albania, Andorra, Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Romania |SDG=(08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (13) Climate Action }}