The yoke, animals and means of transport

Animals in Agriculture: The Role of Donkeys and Oxen

The most commonly used animals in agricultural activities in Morano Calabro, as in many other parts of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean region, were donkeys and oxen.

The donkey was an inseparable companion for farmers. Its ability to navigate the narrow and steep streets of the town made it an ideal pack animal. However, donkeys were not only used for daily commutes to the countryside and transporting goods. Poorer farmers also used them for agricultural tasks, such as pulling plows and harrows, particularly the smaller and lighter types. This widespread use explains the high number of donkeys in Morano in the past. In 1930, there were 450 equines in total, most of which were donkeys.

Traditional Yokes and Packsaddles

The museum section displays various examples of traditional packsaddles and yokes commonly used in Morano’s countryside. There were two main types of packsaddles: one used in Morano and the other in the surrounding Albanian-speaking villages. These differed mainly in the shape of the wooden arches that formed their structure.

The packsaddles used in Morano were usually made locally by specialized craftsmen. The containers attached to the packsaddles, always in pairs, also varied in type and purpose.

Types of Yokes Used in Agricultural Work

Three main types of neck yokes were used in Morano’s agricultural fields, each with distinct characteristics:

1. The Traditional Wooden Yoke
   The most ancient and widespread type consisted of a wooden beam (usually beech), just over a meter long, with slight curves to accommodate the ox’s neck. This yoke was commonly used with oxen, which, alongside donkeys, were the most frequently employed animals in farming.

2. The Marchigiano Yoke
   Introduced by farmers from the Marche region in the early 20th century, this yoke was heavier and more robust. It utilized not only the ox’s neck but also its horns for additional support.

3. The Triple Yoke for Threshing
   This yoke was mainly used for threshing on the farmyard. It could be attached to two heavy stones for better efficiency. A younger ox was often placed in the center, allowing the yoke to help train younger, more restless animals.

Traditional Farming Transport: Carts and Wagons

The exhibition also features some of the most commonly used transportation methods in Morano’s agricultural past, documented with photographs and historical records.

One of the most iconic means of transport was the ox cart, widely used by lower-class rural workers. The typical cart used in Morano’s countryside was the Calabrian forked cart, a two-wheeled wooden cart with iron-rimmed wheels. In the 1930s, some farmers of Marchigiano origin introduced four-wheeled ox carts, which became more common over time.

Another, less common transport method was the wooden sled with two shafts and large wheels, which was not well-suited to the town’s rugged terrain.

Finally, the carriage was primarily used by wealthier landowners and affluent farmers, serving as a symbol of prestige and economic status.