ALONG THE SHEPHERD’S TRAIL
By Nancy DeSanti,
1st Vice President-Programs For our fifth program of the year, please join us on Sunday, September 23, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Carmine’s Restaurant, for a presentation by AMHS member Maria D’Andrea-Yothers on the transumanza and tratturi, a phenomenon that has profoundly influenced the economy, culture, and history of Abruzzo and Molise.
The transumanza is the traditional twice-yearly migration of sheep and cows from the highlands to the lowlands, and back. The word literally means “crossing the land”. The regional pastoral economy was based on the seasonal transfer of herds of sheep to the green pastures of the higher Apennines in Abruzzo and Molise in summer, and to the green plains of Puglia and Lazio in winter. The routes followed by the shepherds are known as tratturi. In what is sure to be an interesting and informative presentation, Maria will illuminate this pivotal aspect of our regional identity.
We will see how the ancient tratturi (plural of tratturo) is one of the main features of the Molise and Abruzzo landscape. For example, numerous tratturi cross Molise from north to south, east to west, with each one offering rich and unique occasions for immersion in the culture and history of the region.
We will also learn about how, from the pre-Roman era up until just a few centuries ago, ancient Italians traveled these trails from season to season.Undertaken mainly by the Samnites since the 6th century B.C., the practice of transhumance enjoyed a period of resurgence under the Romans, who expanded the tratturi “grid” in order to better connect the Empire’s urban centers. Many of the tratturi run next to the stone-paved ancient Roman roads. Surprisingly, these green trail ways are still almost entirely intact today. Nowadays, tourists can walk the same ancient paths that shepherds once followed with their herds.
You may recall that this topic was the subject of an article by Lucio D’Andrea, which appeared in the May 2018 issue of the AMHS Notiziario. In that article, we noted that Italy has made a bid to have transumanza added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of intangible cultural heritage. This bid has the backing of Greece and Austria. UNESCO’s decision is expected in November 2019 (Source: The Local it, March 27, 2018).
Maria is Immediate Past President and a long-time member of the Society. She is a 2nd generation Italian-American: her mother was born in Pacentro, Abruzzo and her father in Roccamandolfi, Molise. Maria was recently appointed to the Board of the National Christopher Columbus Association, to serve a 3-year term. In her professional life, Maria is Acting Director, Office of Textiles and Apparel, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). She is responsible for domestic and trade policy issues, and her country portfolio includes Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Before Maria’s talk, we will enjoy a delicious lunch of roasted red peppers & mozzarella, Carmine’s salad, penne alla vodka, ravioli with marinara sauce, chicken lemon & butter, bread, and dessert. Beverages include coffee, tea, soda, iced tea, and water. Wine and beer are available by individual purchase only. Please make your reservations early and invite your family members and friends to what is sure to be an interesting and informative event. The deadline for paid reservations is noon on September 19. See the flyer on page 16 for additional details including how to make payment.