Sheep Parade Through Streets of Madrid in Ancient Ritual
Flocks of sheep and goats took over the streets of Madrid on Sunday, October 23, in an echo of the traditional practice of transhumance, where livestock were relocated to lower ground in winter.
Footage by Leah Pattem shows sheep parading down Calle Mayor in Madrid’s old town.
The sheep have been a regular sight since 1994, when the “Fiesta de la Trashumancia” began in order to promote a disappearing practice.
The scenes harken back to a tradition dating from 1418, according to Madrid’s tourism body, when an agreement was made between city officials and shepherds. Credit: Leah Pattem via Storyful
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