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Pig slaughtering in the neighbourhood of Santimami in Zamudio (Bizkaia), 1968. Courtesy of Agurtzane Aurre.

Following the World Health Organization’s last report, consumption of red meat and processed meat seems to be the issue on everyone’s lips (not to mention the controversial home slaughter of livestock regulations). Just the perfect time to call to mind the importance of domestic-animal killing in our farmhouses until not so long ago! Pig slaughter was surely the most popular of them all, but lambs and sheep, goats, rabbits and fowls… were also customarily bred and raised to be eaten. The fresh meat of cows, calves and other cattle was reserved for wedding receptions or other extraordinary family celebrations. (more…)