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Sheep shearing. Carranza (Bizkaia), 1998. Miguel Sabino Díaz.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, a sheep’s wool was a most valuable commodity. Shepherds in the Basque Country used to shear their flocks around St John’s festivities and benefit financially from their coats, adding to profits from the sale of lambs, cheese, and older sheep, later in October, that made up for lack of meat before pig slaughter. Wool was woven to make clothing items, typically socks, also laces for rustic shoes known as abarcas, and manes to protect straps and yokes for oxen, and of course, served as filling for mattresses and pillows in every house. Woollens used to be well appreciated for their warmth and moisture absorbing qualities. (more…)
Ears of maize drying. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.
Not much work would be done out in the fields during the winter. Inclement conditions did not allow it, and the soil was given a chance to rest. Farmers took advantage of this time of the year to tackle other chores which also required attention and dedication. (more…)
Spinning for yarn. Carranza, 1986. Miguel Sabino Díaz.
Until well into the 1960s it was customary for local shepherds to keep a few shorn fleeces, or mantas, from the sheep for their own use in the farm. The wool from the fleeces was used as mattress filling and for spinning it into yarn and knitting yarn into clothing, mostly socks, laces for abarcas —rustic leather lace-up shoes— and waistcoats. (more…)
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