Culture

Day in the Life of a Gozo Shepherd

The population of the tiny nation of Malta live predominantly on two islands – Malta, the larger, more developed island, and her rural sister island of Gozo. Life in Gozo moves at a slower pace, and traditional ways of life are still common. SAS students spent a day visiting a goat farmer on Gozo, taking the opportunity to learn about the arts of wine- and cheese-making, care for farm animals, and even milk a goat. At the end of the day, they were served a delicious, fresh meal made from the farm’s products.

Gozo 025 — Students Lori Dilger (Business Administration, Depaul University), Julie Wanous (Psychology, Wright State University), and Sam Henry (Neuroscience, Ohio State University), chat on the half hour ride to Gozo Island.

Gozo 024 — Passengers lean over the railings on the ferry between the island of Malta and the smaller, more rural island of Gozo.

Gozo 026 — Penned goats curiously study the new arrivals as they arrive at the farm in Gozo.

Gozo 027 — Bettina Mangiaracina, a Liberal Studies major at CUNY Hunter College, laughs as she attempts to milk a goat for the first time. The milk will later be used to make cheese.

Gozo 029 — Julie Caruccio reacts as an orphaned 2-week old lamb licks her neck and face.

Gozo 030 — Besides goats, this Gozo farm has a number of other animals, including chickens, sheep, and dogs.

Gozo 031 — The farm also produces its own red and white wines.

Gozo 032 — Rikardu Zammit, a farmer and shepherd, shows SAS students how to make traditional Gozo cheese using both sheep and goat milk.

Gozo 033 — Traditional baskets give the cheese shape while allowing excess liquid to drain.

Gozo 034 — Rikardu Zammit has lived in Gozo his entire life, working first as a stone mason, then farmer, and, more recently, he has started his own restaurant on the island serving fresh, traditional meals.

Gozo 036 — Fresh bread, cheese, honey, and vegetables are on display outside of Rikardu’s restaurant – Ta-Rikardu.

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