Imagine walking around D.C. on a sleepy, cloudy Sunday morning and turning down Pennsylvania Avenue to see, hear, and yes, smell thousands of sheep hustling down for blocks and blocks. You would be confused too, right?
No one warned me, but today was the Transhumance Fiesta, a day in which a handful of shepherds celebrate and utilize their right to droving routes that existed before Madrid became a sprawling metropolis. While the Ministry of Agriculture has only supported the official festival since 1994, the tradition has firm roots for centuries.
Many of the paths used by shepherds are over 800 years old. Incredibly, the path that goes through the heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, which was used today, is one from 1372. According to a local, the sheep come from the north, most recently Segovia, and head south for warmer weather.
My host mom told me that the shepherds bought the rights to the path with 25 maravedis, which were coins first used in the 11th century. Traditionally there were almost one million animals including sheep and cattle, however now its closer to four thousand of the native Merino sheep, which are a great source of pride to Spanish shepherds.
While an incredibly odd site, the tradition is truly astonishing. It distinctly highlights how traditions can be protected and cherished despite threats like urban expansion and agricultural modernization.
After seeing thousands of sheep descend upon Madrid, I am yet again reminded that I'm definitely not in D.C. anymore.
I’m definitely not in D.C. anymore.