The transition into the 20th and 21st centuries saw a sharp decline in sheep populations—dropping from 4.1 million to 1.6 million in Germany alone between 1989 and 2019. Néprajzi értesítő 71-73. szám, 1989-1991. - REAL-J
Traditional German and Central European husbandry typically followed three primary models:
Historically, sheep were the primary livestock for subsistence in early Europe due to their versatility in providing meat, milk, and wool. Wolfgang Jacobeit’s research highlights that before the 20th century, sheep farming was not merely an industry but a foundational pillar of Central European rural life. Jacobeit-Schafhaltung.zip
Based on the scholarly work of , specifically his seminal text Schafhaltung und Schäfer in Zentraleuropa bis zum Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts ,
Long-distance movement of mobile shepherds and flocks between seasonal pastures. The transition into the 20th and 21st centuries
Due to their mobility and "dishonorable" proximity to animal death and birth, they often occupied a distinct social niche outside standard village hierarchies. 4. Modern Challenges and Declines
Shepherds often lived in "confinement" or isolated environments to manage animal productivity and protection. - REAL-J Traditional German and Central European husbandry
This paper explores the socio-economic evolution of sheep farming ( Schafhaltung ) in Central Europe, drawing on the ethnographic research of Wolfgang Jacobeit . It examines the transition from traditional, communal grazing systems to more specialized, mobile pastoralism, highlighting the shepherd’s unique role as both a laborer and a social outsider. 1. Introduction: The Centrality of Sheep in Rural History