The tradition of sheep farming and shepherding holds significant meaning in the history and culture of Romania. It is closely tied to how communities have lived and survived in rural areas, and in many regions of the country, shepherding and sheep farming remain important aspects of life.
Shepherding is an ancient practice in Romania, passed down through generations. Over the years, it has evolved beyond a simple economic activity, becoming an integral part of cultural identity. Many shepherds and their families take their flocks of sheep to the mountains during the summer in a practice known as transhumance. There, they live in traditional sheepfolds and graze their animals on rich pastures abundant in grass and herbs.
This tradition of shepherding has influenced Romanian culture in many ways. From folklore and traditional music to cuisine and crafts, the influences of shepherding are often present in the daily lives of people in rural areas.
However, social and economic changes in recent decades have impacted this tradition. While in some regions shepherding remains a significant activity, in others, it has started to decline due to urbanization, industrialization, and changes in lifestyle.
Nevertheless, shepherding and the tradition of sheep farming remain an important part of Romania’s cultural identity and are often kept alive through festivals, cultural events, and efforts to preserve local traditions.
In the selected images, you can even see a lamb born a few moments ago, which is sniffed and thus recognized by one of the herd’s dogs. I chose from the approximately 70 frames taken in a few minutes from the side of the road in a small village in Salaj county (Babiu, Almas ) – just a few to briefly illustrate the story of the moment and the beauty of the pastoral tradition in the area. Mioritic or Carpathian shepherd dogs (I always confuse them because I love them very much) are friendly and attentive, but they can be a nuisance if someone suddenly approaches the herd. Enjoy and visit Romania, dear friends. I used a Sony A7III camera at dusk, the Sony 50mm F1.4 and 70-200 F 2.8 (wide open) lenses, 100-250 ISO, handheld at 1/250. Edited with my own preset in Lightroom.
