‘Proud of what I do’: Nomadic herders on life in Greece’s mountainous villages

·

Every spring, brothers Kostas and Efthymios Papastavros, along with Kosta’s wife Fotini, herd their 800 goats on foot to the Koziakas mountain in Thessaly, Central Greece, according to The Guardian.

The family are descended from nomadic herders and breeders who have existed in the Greek and Balkan region for hundreds of years, known as the Vlachs.

Starting their day at 5.30 am, the Papastavros family milk their goats by hand, before transporting their raw goat’s milk to plants for processing, twice a day.

“People say that herders are uncivilised and uneducated and unable to do other jobs,” Kostas told The Guardian.

“But they don’t realise that you have to be passionate to be one. You have to love the animals and love the job. I am very proud of what I do.”

A herd of goats in the mountains of Greece. Photo by Dimitris Tosidis.

But despite the years of love and appreciation for their lifestyle, they are currently at risk of being the last generation of nomadic herders in Greece due to increasing financial hardship.

Many herders have had to sell or slaughter their livestock as a result of soaring energy costs. The mountain roads used to transport the goat milk are in dire need of government support and reconstruction.

The Papastavros’ are one of just over 3,000 herder families that still remain in Greece.

“I don’t know if it is going to be preserved after our generation, we are probably the last ones,” Kostas said.

FULL STORY: The Guardian.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historic ties remembered as Greece’s Evzones march in Adelaide’s ANZAC Day parade

During a Dawn Service at West Torrens on Friday, April 25, the Evzones stood guard alongside Australian army battalion in remembrance.

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

You May Also Like

‘They called me Vi — The Greek’: Violeta Vryoni on her experience living in Australia

Violeta Vryoni, 50 years of age and works in an Athenian suburb's local cafe, related to me her experience of living and working in Australia.

Foreign Ministry summons Ukrainian envoy over death of ethnic Greek

Greece’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to deliver a demarche requesting clarifications over ethnic Greek death.

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Family of funeral home mix-up still waiting for full refund

It’s been six months since the mix-up of two bodies by Euro Funeral Services and one family is still waiting for a full refund.