Livestock farming

Livestock farming in Crete has been a fundamental pillar of the economy and society, with herders holding an important position. They often operated in cooperative arrangements, governed by unwritten rules that determined the sharing of income and flocks. Terms such as “maxoulosymmisiaka” and “xehartzista” regulated the relationships among partners.
Although the life of the herder has changed today, the traditions and old agreements reflect a harsh yet well-structured rural reality.