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Sheep shearing. Carranza (Bizkaia), 1998. Miguel Sabino Díaz.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a sheep’s wool was a most valuable commodity. Shepherds in the Basque Country used to shear their flocks around St John’s festivities and benefit financially from their coats, adding to profits from the sale of lambs, cheese, and older sheep, later in October, that made up for lack of meat before pig slaughter. Wool was woven to make clothing items, typically socks, also laces for rustic shoes known as abarcas, and manes to protect straps and yokes for oxen, and of course, served as filling for mattresses and pillows in every house. Woollens used to be well appreciated for their warmth and moisture absorbing qualities. (more…)