Book

Mediterranean pastoral nomads: the Sarakatsani of Greece

Gauthier-VillarsParis • Published In 1965 • Pages: HRAF MS: ii, 498 [original: x, 444 ]

By: Kavvadias, GeŌrgios V., Schütze, Frieda.

Abstract
This monograph, written by a social/cultural anthropologist of the French school, presents a well-rounded general ethnography of the nomadic Sarakatsani of Greece, with specific emphasis on those groups located within the region of Epirus, Thessaly, and central Greece. Although eleven specific field locales are pinpointed on the map on page 5 of this source, no mention is made in the text further identifying these locales. The author does say, however, that he did conduct a census of two of these Sarakatsani groups, one located at Tchoucaladès near Mt. Parnassus and the other at Plaka near Lamia (p. 24). This, in conjunction with the fact that there is no information on the dates of the author's fieldwork nor on the methodology used other than that he employed '… direct observation, recording of accounts and narratives, interviews, and finally direct participation in Sarakatsani life' (p. 19), constitute negative aspects of this otherwise well-written account. Not content with merely describing Sarakatsani society and culture, the author attempts to explain and interpret the data in the light of theoretical constructs which he believes will identify and integrate essential features, principles and processes of Sarakatsani life. As the result of this approach, the author is frequently involved in rather lengthy discussions of certain theoretical points and concepts found in the general anthropological literature. This source is divided into four major parts, plus an Introduction (pp. 6-23), a Conclusion (pp. 473-480), and a detailed Bibliography on pp. 481-494. In the Introduction to this source, in addition to what little information is available on the author's methodology, there are also data on the main sources utilized in this study, and a discussion of a problem which seems to have caused much difficulty for writers on the Sarakatsani, namely, that of ethnic origins. Kabbadias seems to favor the theory of D. Georgakas which proposes that the Sarakatsani are descended from a group of sedentary Greek peasants, who at some period in the fourteenth century sought refuge in the mountains and eventually adopted pastoral nomadism. Part I of this source (pp. 23-138) deals specifically with Sarakatsani adaptations to and use of the natural environment. Chapter 1 of this section (pp. 23-33) deals with demography and ecology. Despite the fact that a comprehensive demographic study is impossible because of the lack of statistics, the author, nevertheless, claims that his data show a very high birth rate, low mortality, a life expectancy of 70 or over and a general pattern of ethnic endogamy. According to Kabbadias the total Sarakatsani population in Greece is estimated at between 90,000 to 110, 000 (p. 28). Chapter 2 (pp. 33-138) dealing with the technology of the Sarakatsani, is one of the best descriptive sections in the source. The subjects covered are the manufacture of wooden tools, utensils, and furniture, wool processing (including weaving techniques), leather working, the construction of dwellings and other structures, pastoral activities, clothing, food habits, etc. Part II deals with various aspects of social relationships (see pp. 138-272). Chapter 1 of this section (pp. 139-A to 211) presents a systematic analysis of the five basic social contexts of Sarakatsani life: the conjugal family, the extended family, the TSéLIGATO, the total Sarakatsani society and the surrounding Greek society. The TSéLIGATO, the major social/familial grouping (see p. 139) is described in the text as an economic cooperative at the core of which is an economically powerful extended family, and to which are usually attached other conjugal or extended families of lower economic status, which may or may not be related to the core family either collaterally of affinally. It seems evident that the TSéLIGATO and the STANI described by Campbell (see 1:Campbell, this file) are basically the same social group. Kabbadias, 0n p. 31, defines STANI as simply the locale where pastoral activities take place, and claims that this term is common to pastoral groups all over Greece. Chapter 2 (pp. 211-216) presents a general characterization of the economic system, while chapter 3 (pp. 216-264) discusses law in the society. In this latter chapter, the author shows how the Sarakatsani have combined elements of Hellenic and indigenous law. There is a long section (pp. 252-264) which discusses the theory and analysis of law in anthropology. Chapter 4 (pp. 264-272) presents a discussion on the concepts of Sarakatsani morality, with its primary focus on the notion of 'honor.' Part III (pp. 272-436) deals in general with the supernatural, cognitive and aesthetic aspects of Sarakatsani life. Chapter 1 (pp. 272-374) discusses magic both from a descriptive as well as analytical point of view. Magical practices are described in detail along with their historical and cultural origins. This chapter also provides a good analytical treatment of the logical postulates underlying magical behavior and of the cultural, social, psychological, and human conditions in which magic is called upon. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the social functions of magic. Chapter 2 (pp. 375-404), presents a succinct account of Sarakatsani religion, including information on the main ceremonial occasions, funerary customs, general religious orientations, and the social functions of religion. Chapter 3 (pp. 404-424) discusses native ideas and knowledge of nature and man, including data on mythology. Chapter 4 (pp. 424-436) is concerned with various aspects of Sarakatsani fine arts -- music, poetry, dance, wood sculpture, embroidery, and narrative tales. Part VI (pp. 436-473) is an attempt by the author to provide a general synthesis of the data concerning the Sarakatsani culture and society. Chapter 1 (pp. 437-461) discusses possible ways of presenting an integrated view of Sarakatsani life, and then focuses on the delineation of the basic cultural style, which is seen as linking the Sarakatsani to the Mediterranean culture area in general, and to the Southeast European part of this area in particular. Chapter 2 (pp. 461-473) then deals with the problem of stability, continuity and change in their pattern of life. The Conclusion (pp.473-480) sketches a profile of the sexual dichotomy characterizing Sarakatsani cultural behavior.
Subjects
Culture summary
Ethos
Law
culture
Greeks
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Southeastern Europe
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1978
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
northern mainland Greece; Epirus, Thessaly, and central Greece
Notes
[by] Georgios B. Kavadias ; photographs and figures by the author
Translation of: [Pasteurs-nomades méditerranéens; les Saracatsans de Grèce. [par] Georges B. Kavadias. Photos et dessins de l'auteur]
The original French text is included in this database but it is not indexed for subjects
Includes bibliographical references (p. 481-494)
Translated for the HRAF files by Frieda Schütze
LCCN
66091456
LCSH
Sarakatsans/Greece