I wonder if I might draw on the generosity of members of this list
(as one who is fascinated by discussions on this list, yet who works
in another discipline). I have just read Ruth Harris's excellent book
on Lourdes. In her opening chapters she characterises the role and
status of shepherds in Pyranean society. She describes them as
existing in a liminal world, representing vigilance -- the contact
between the human and supernatural world occuring when they went in
search of straying animals; as solitary as hermits, having expertise
in knowledge of stars, fauna, flora and fauna, yet also potentially
dangerous -- folklore attesting to acts of terrorisation as they
marauded farmlands.
I suspect there must be a pretty extensive literature on the place
of shepherds in medieval Europe, particularly in mountainous regions,
and I wonder if someone might make some suggestions as to useful
sources. I'm particularly interested in the role of shepherds as
visionaries.
with thanks,
Pippa Skotnes
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Pippa Skotnes
Professor of Fine Art
University of Cape Town
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