Traveling shepherds. Transhumance in Sardinia and Sicily between historical dynamics, today’s practices and future prospects

Abstract

In Sardinia and Sicily, transhumance has been an important economic and socio-cultural device. Pastoral mobility has disappeared in the first region, and recently it is receiving increased attention as touristic and identity object; in Sicily, although re-dimen- sioned, it is still a vital practice. The intervention is meant to reflect on the historical dynamics, on today’s dimension and on the future perspectives of transhumance, also in relation to Italy’s recent request to UNESCO to recognize this practice as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.