Between Mine and Sheepfold: Plural Identities of the Peasants from the Jiu Valley, Romania

Abstract

In the Jiu Valley, located in the southern Carpathians, shepherding was the main occupation of peasants, even after coal mining began in the area. Coal mining led to rapid economic development both in the early twentieth century and during the communist period (1945-1989). Often discouraged by the authorities, the peasants—nicknamed momârlani by the townspeople—continued to raise animals while working simultaneously in the mine. After the 1989 Revolution, during the difficult transition to a democratic regime and market economy, peasants struggled to find their place in a new market: that of purebred animals, which hold significant economic value, especially in an area further impoverished by mine closures imposed by European “green” policies.

Keywords

• sheep breeding
• community
• mine worker
• communism
• market economy
• jiu valley