Public Project
THE YOUNG BASQUE SHEPHERD
7,446
THE YOUNG BASQUE SHEPHERD
Location: Tolosa
Nationality: Spanish
Covering:
Africa,
Asia,
Latin America,
Middle East,
THE YOUNG BASQUE SHEPHERD
The ‘Shepherd Academy’ was created in 1997 in the Basque Country, and its objectives were to educate shepherds, to guarantee that this profession will remain alive and to professionalise said practice. It is located in the Gomiztegi farm and it is a global benchmark. Many students from different counties or countries even, attend every year to this academy.
This story narrates the life of Aitor Urien, a young student of the Shepherd Academy. He belongs to the fourth generation of a dedicated shepherd family; his great-grandfather Mariano Urien, grandfather Donato Urien and father José were professional shepherds. As the first two passed away, Aitor and his father are the ones keeping the family tradition nowadays.
“I have always wanted to become a shepherd”
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Aitor believes that his studies in the shepherd academy have helped him realise his dream project.
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This is the person in charge of the production, the transformation and the commercialisation of products made in the academy. Working with hay, in the picture.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Abadiño, the Basque Country, where Aitor takes care of his 300 sheep.
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José Urien, helping his son move the flock of sheep from the slope to the farm.
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Hanging a bell to the sheep, along the way.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Aitor waiting for his father on the bridge where the flock of sheep cross.
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In the second stage of the journey, is the uncle who helps Aitor.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Aitor turns around to make sure that the sheep are still following him.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
After a couple of hours, Aitor, his father and uncle gather the flock of sheep in front of the farm.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Aitor gathers the flock of sheep in the barn.
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" Abarka " is the typical footwear used by the Basque shepherds.
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Aitor and his uncle trimming sheep hooves.
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During sunset, he takes the flock of sheep back to the field.
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At 7:00 o’clock of the following day, Aitor gathers his sheep to milk them; it is not an easy job!
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Aitor milks the sheep manually one by one.
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Preparing what is necessary to start filling buckets with milk.
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Filtering milk.
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Once the sheep are milked, they go back to the barn.
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Aitor takes a break.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
The shop. The family owns a small shop where they sell their own cheese.
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© 2024 URA ITURRALDE
Aitor Urien, 23 years old.
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