Sunday, October 28, 2012
Much more suitable for dull men than “Running of the Bulls” in Pamplona is “Running of the Sheep” in Madrid. It takes place the last Sunday of October every year.
Shepherds and sheep dogs take a flock of 2,000 sheep through the streets of Madrid. It’s been going on since 1273. Madrid was a rural hamlet back then.
The purpose is make certain sheepherders’ droving rights are kept alive.
It’s part of the Festival of Transhumance — celebrations along the ancient nomadic path shepherds take when moving their flocks from summer pastures to winter pastures.
There’s a task involved with this that dull men can enjoy: counting the sheep to make certain none are left behind.
To watch the parade of sheep on BBC News click here.
