Antonio Falchi - Bono, shearing sheep 2016

Like all cultures closely related to work in the countryside and to the rhythms of nature, the pastoral work phases often acquire aspects related to the party, mutual aid, solidarity and sharing, thus strengthening the ties of kinship and friendship.
Sheep shearing is a time of more intense pastoral communities of Sardinia.
It is a ritual, almost magical that made possible the values ​​and traditions of an ancient culture that has been handed down for thousands of years.
The shearing takes place at the end of spring, when the heat makes the fleece too overwhelming for the sheep.
It starts in the morning, after having rallied the sheep in an enclosure. Usually they form three teams: one for the real shearing that occurs with the use of special sharp scissors or more modern electric hair clippers machines; the second team is the one that catches the sheep to be sheared, it binds all fours with a cord and leads from the shearer; the third team picks up the sheared wool and the system in special bags to be transported for sale.
Scissors to shear are burnished iron scissors, sharp, large, about 35 cm long, with sharp triangular blades. Not have screws and the spring is a bending of the iron on the handle. They have an archaic appearance, reminiscent of the nuraghic and Mycenaean weapons, weapons of the ancient pastoral cultures of the Mediterranean.
Must shearing sheep in all parts of the body, from head to tail and you have to mow so that the fleece is off like a fur, made uniform.
Finish the cutting operation, the sheep is free and returns to the fence.
The sheep are sheared not only because wool is useful, but also because of the pile length can be an impediment to the animal, especially in the summer: the animal, in fact, getting entangled in the bushes, he may become full of thorns and injury.
Shearing real concerns traditionally men; Women are given the task to prepare the lavish banquet that will take refreshment and participants invited to this ancient rite.