Luxury DMC Essence of Sicily takes us to the little-praised interior, where traditional shepherding thrives with deep roots.
How are the practices of Sicily tied to its land?
Some jobs are traditions, remaining unchanged from the past to the present, and handed down through generations like prized possessions. These are trades, but also lifestyles that take shape in the inland of Sicily, a fascinating and little-discovered place. For six generations, the shepherding profession has been passed down from father to son.
What makes this profession so timeless?
The job is built upon a repetition of gestures, beginning at dawn. To characterize the soundscape of this place, one can count on whistles, whispered calls, and the incomprehensible and magical Sicilian language. The experience of shepherding is above all a meeting with an ancient craft.
Why does this practice continue today?
Sheep’s milk is a precious commodity on the island. The work in the pastures moves to the small dairy where cheese is produced: an art that requires knowledgeable hands, skill, and dedication and produces local fresh ricotta and aged pecorino cheeses.
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