Passadoc Gazette – No 183

Transhumance... Archaeological research attests to its existence for nearly 7,000 years; It therefore represents one of the oldest regional traditions. Many documents tell it: it is sometimes very small herds of 18 animals that move, more generally we talk about 60, 80 to 120 heads; We even advance rallies of nearly 1,000 heads, flocks of several breeders of course.

Transhumance are postcards, reading memories:

Beasts and people spend five or six months up there, housed in the beautiful star, in the grass to the belly; Then, at the first thrill of autumn, we go back down to the mas, and we return bourgeoisly to graze the small grey hills that smell rosemary... So last night the herds were coming home.

Since the morning, the gate was waiting, open to two wings; The sheepfolds were full of fresh straw.

An hour ago we thought, "Now they're in Eyguières, now Paradou." Then, suddenly, towards the evening, a loud cry: "Here they are!" and there, far away, we see the flock moving in a glory of dust. The whole road seems to be walking with him... The old rams come first, the horn forward, the wild air; behind them the bulk of the sheep, the mothers a little tired, their infants in the legs; – the mules with red pompons carrying in baskets the lambs for a day they bend while walking; Then the dogs, all sweaty, with tongues up to the ground, and two great naughters of shepherds draped in coats of red cadis that fall on their heels like chaps.

All this scrolls before us joyfully and simmers under the gate, trampling with a showering sound*... a text from Alphonse Daudet of course.

And this other image of Giono:

It's a rising stream that stretches, pronouncing with warning signs, the smell of sweat and wool, the clouds of dust that veil the sky, a heavy sound, that of a great stream, of a great herd, that noise of the world, that noise of the sky, that noise of stars.

Jeanne Monin