The transhumance perception: a macro-regional phenomenon in the Mediterranean basin. A comparison between verbal descriptions of the tradition in Calabria and Molise (Southern Italy)

The contribution aims to analyze the phenomenon of transhumance by comparing the traditions of Calabria and Molise (southern Italy), dwelling in particular on the witnesses of a Calabrian shepherd and the son of a shepherd from Molise. The methodology, used in the context of the geography of perception, is the collection of some verbal descriptions of the two pastors, oriented through some thematic declinations: 1) the age with which the breeder began to work as a transhumant shepherd; 2) the reasons why some animals carried or did not carry the bell; 3) the movements of the animals guided by the instinct or forced by shepherds; 4) the duration of the transhumance; 5) the reasons why the transhumance was practiced; 6) the best period to carry out the transhumance; 7) the advices of the transhumant shepherd for the possible development of the transhumance by the new generations. This comparison reveals interesting analogies and differences between the tradition of Calabrian and Molise transhumant pastoralism, as well as important reflections on the future of this ancient practice.