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The Shepherd’s Leap<\/h1>\n
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By Chadd and Jenny McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
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Goat shepherds in the Canary Islands<\/strong> face a difficult challenge to do their job well. They have to keep up with agile goats grazing over rugged terrain. When hungry goats lose their way, shepherds must conquer 30-foot cliffs, hurdle groves of cacti, or vault deep pits to retrieve them. To keep the herd safe in an impassable landscape, shepherds developed a unique form of transport mostly known as the art of salto del pastor canario<\/span><\/i>. In English this phrase is translated to \u201cshepherd\u2019s leap of the Canary Islanders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The topography of the Canary Islands is craggy and beautiful, formed by volcanic eruptions over millions of years. Despite their location 100 km off the northwestern coast of Africa, politically they belong to Spain as a result of colonization during the early 15th century. As a result, the two million island residents speak Spanish.<\/p>\n Guarding the Goats<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Before tourism drove the islands\u2019 economic growth, agriculture supplied a livelihood to its citizens. Along with sugar cane and bananas, goats provided a source of food and income. To keep up with their goats in times past, innovative shepherds employed a long wooden pole known as a lanza<\/i> or garrote<\/i> to navigate large boulders, cliff faces, and crevices. Think pole vaulting with a pole that can\u2019t bend.<\/p>\n Leaping with Lanzas<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Lanzas are wooden staffs ranging in length from six to 12 feet, depending on the height of its owner. The top end is wider than the bottom, which terminates in a sharp, metal-clad point. Shepherds use the pointed end as an anchor while leaping a chasm or obstacle. It also helps slow their descent when jumping off a rock overhang. The acrobatic moves were taught by one generation to the next.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With goat herding in decline as a career, the salto del pastor tradition lives on as a hobby and folk sport. Today, instructors teach students and tourists how to utilize their lanzas in clubs around the region. Each November, practitioners gather together for an annual cross-island encounter. If you happen to attend the event, you will witness female and male saltodores<\/i> honor the artistry and daring of their ancestors.<\/p>\n Many thanks to Asoc Cultural Salto del Pastor Taborno and Salto del Pastor Canario New Zealand for their contributions to this story.<\/i><\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/leap3-crop.png” alt=”shepherds leap New Zealand” title_text=”leap3 crop” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo credit: Salto del Pastor Canario New Zealand<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/leap2-crop-1.png” alt=”shepherds leap” title_text=”Modern-day salto del pastor” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo credit: Asoc Cultural Salto del Pastor Taborno<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshow” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a teacher who\u2019s interested in telling this story to your students?\u00a0Here are slideshows you can use to get started.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Given that few young people are choosing to herd goats in the Canary Islands, who has the responsibility to ensure that the salto del pastor tradition continues? What would you do, if you could do anything, to help keep this art alive?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Canary-GMS.png\")
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