Entry 12: She Wasn't Beautiful, But ... - No Iera Pulita, Ma ...

Location: Calabria, Italy

Date: 1891 to 1950’s

She definitely wasn’t beautiful but there was something special about her that demanded your attention whenever she walked by. She was hard working – there was no doubt about that. She was physically strong - so strong, she often surprised herself with the weight of loads she was able to carry. She was frustratingly stubborn; once her mind was made up, it could only be changed if she decided to do so. And then, there was her occasional temper. When it flared up, everyone knew to give the Calabrese girl her space and keep a safe distance away; those powerful legs were a lethal weapon when they kicked with rage. Best to leave her alone until she settled back down to her usual reliable self. Overflowing with personality, this was Peppe and Angela’s most prized farm animal: their loyal and trusted donkey - ‘a sumera’.

Owning a donkey was an asset not everyone could afford, so her value in making life immensely easier was well appreciated by Peppe. Quite simply, tasks requiring the transportation of anything either bulky or heavy was more effective on the back of a donkey rather than the back (or head) of a person.

During the olive season, Peppe and his ‘sumera’ regularly travelled along the track leading to the nearby ‘troppitu’ - the mill where his olives were delivered to be processed into oil. The handpicked olives were transported in sacks, two at a time, attached to either side of the saddle. Unique units of measurements were used for olives with one sack referred to as a ‘tuminu’ and weighing approximately 40 kilograms; and two or more sacks referred to as ‘tumina’. Therefore, Peppe’s donkey, loaded with two ‘tumina’, was capable of carrying 80 kilograms of olives.

Even though the ‘troppitu’ was less than a kilometre from Peppe’s olive grove, a more efficient method of transportation was needed for larger quantities of olives harvested during the peak part of the season. At such times, neighbouring farmers helped each other by combining their resources. What’s better than one donkey? Many donkeys! Friends who were able to help, assembled at Peppe’s property with their own ‘sumera’. Each donkey was loaded with two sacks of Peppe’s olives and the team then made their way to the mill, delivering numerous ‘tumina dallivi’ (sacks of olives) in one, single journey. This informal system of mutual support was beneficial to all the farmers involved; they were reliable men, willing to work together whenever needed.

A ‘sumera’ was also the primary mode of transport for Peppe and Angela when they travelled to the coastal town of Siderno Marina, located about four kilometres from their home. Dressed in their finest clothing, Peppe rode at the front holding onto the reins, sitting with one leg on each side of the donkey, while Angela sat behind him with both legs to one side, holding onto Peppe for balance. These trips occurred regularly, happening most Thursdays and Sundays over a time spanning many decades – the couple became renowned for them. Thursday was their shopping day. Having established a self-sufficient lifestyle, they purchased only a few items, with the basic list including: sugar, salt, coffee beans, matches and tobacco for Peppe’s pipe. On Sundays they attended mass, usually at the ‘Chiesa di Santa Maria di Portosalvo’. And on either day, if time allowed, they also visited family or friends.

On the return journey home from Siderno Marina, with Peppe and Angela settled comfortably on her back, a ‘sumera’ made her way through the countryside along the familiar tracks. She was aware of the farmers working in the fields, the women gathering vegetables and children climbing fruit trees, who stopped their chores to look in her direction and wave as she leisurely walked by.

Peppe and Angela's son, Michele, with his 'sumera'.