ARTZAI JAUSIAK

Published by DEIA, Agosto 4, 2011



Traveling around the world, in addition to pleasurable, is one of the most enriching activities that one can do. Meeting people, places, habits and cultures entails an almost constant discovery of different worlds.

Some weeks ago I talked about Rogelio Botanz, a Basque that settled in the Canary Islands and that is a true expert in the Siblo gomero (a canary island whistling language). In one of those trips that I visited the islands, Rogelio invited me to accompany him in a documentary recording about the "Salto del Pastor” (Jump of the Shepherd). It is called the Salto del Pastor or, more colloquially, the Brinco (Jump Over), they move around the mountains with the help of a stick that is around 2 to 4 meters long, ending with a metallic tip. It is a traditional practice that the shepherds of the Canary Islands have used to move through those so abrupt payments. It seems incredible to observe how jumpers run through incredible slopes, accomplishing amazing leaps, thanks to the use of the pole that, nailed firmly to the ground and used like a rod for them to slide down arriving to the ground, allows to carrying out such exploits.

Although it is not well know the origin of the Jump of the Shepherd, one knows that already the guanaches (refers to the aboriginal inhabitants of the island) used this technique in their displacements. Talking to Rogelio he commented me that the most spectacular leaps, according to the elders, took place, not in the steep mountains and cliffs, but the shepherds, far from using it only for work, used this technique to date. They would go up to the church’s bell tower, they waited until the girl they were interested pass by, they would toss a coin to the ground and immediately afterwards they let themselves fall, nailing down the lance tightly where they had thrown the coin and sliding their body beside the pole smoothly down to the ground. Skillful action, target and courage, a full demonstration of manliness to call the lady's attention.

Once again, the proof of the human being’s need to compete to evolve. We all react giving our maximum when we spark competitiveness off, even when one is the more daring one of all, the one of ourselves.

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