Pebre and bread. La Quebrada, Marchigue 02-2011. Photo Anabella.
As Chile's second largest consumer of bread in the world, now this is bought at the corner store or supermarket, and just knead at home.
As citizens of the modern globalized world, we have lost the links with the land and the products we consume daily. Our cultural identity is becoming more diffuse. To darken the picture a little more inevitable to mention that our biodiversity is under threat.
spikes of wheat, La Quebrada de Marchigue. February 2011. Photo Anabella.
Modernity good thing in many respects, it is not so in others. This in large-scale food production has been gaining hectare after hectare in the world, our country is not foreign to "development." Yes we can, to eye and make efforts not to lose part of our food heritage and cultural identity; still possible to find a little away from large urban centers.
Wheat Juita or Liuto "Pilén Low in September 2010. Photo Anabella.
Wheat came to our country from the hands of the conquerors, before that indigenous peoples were obviously not included in your diet.
planting and harvesting of wheat, was essential for the survival of those who came.
were not used to eating corn and other products that are consumed around here. Over time, gradually wheat ended up being an important part in the feeding of all conquerors, mestizos and any subsequent offspring.
Today our country produces and imports wheat. But planting, harvesting and how to separate wheat from chaff (threshing) have varied over time.
Wheat harvesting and threshing.
mechanical thresher. http://www.ihistory101.net/espanol/lessons/farm-city/threshing-winnowing_1.htm
past all the work, planting, harvesting and threshing (separating the wheat from the stem) were made in manually. In 1786, Scotsman Andrew Meikle invented a threshing machine. The first worked with energy produced by horses later with steam engines. In Chile, the machinery was introduced in the late nineteenth century. Today the entire process is mechanized, using machinery (bencinera or oil).
"Warning road", leading to a trilla.Febrero 2011. Photo Anabella.
mare La Trilla, "a practice of the ancients?
few weeks ago, I could not stop smiling while listening to a group of the Neighbors of the rural town of La Quebrada, located near Marchigue in the Region of Libertador.
The meeting was nothing less than to schedule the completion of a community activity, a loose horse threshing. It sounded unbelievable that someone mentioned that this threshing "was the custom of the ancients." That's because I've been fortunate to witness many, even in recent years. I even thought for a moment the idea for this activity, go to the jug and definitely the "modernity" to their memory was erased.
Although it is often not plant as much wheat for home consumption (as before), anyway there are crops, but the tracks are increasingly machinery. Fortunately the tracks to the old way, stubbornly trying to survive, and still getting some from north to south.
mares and horses They trample on the sheaves into the floor to separate the wheat from the chaff. There are two ways to "loose horse" that are more attractive or a "mare necked" (attached).
I still counting the meeting ... Fortunately, after a short silence, a woman began to describe how they did it not long before the tracks at home. Quickly, several memories surfaced present. The stories were aware that until very recently, many families planted and harvested wheat in the coastal dryland. Land for which year after year, the rains are more elusive and scarce irrigation water. Believe that both forest and intensive cultivation pass the bill.
The trails made them with community-based solidarity work. Today for you, tomorrow for me. It warned the date of the threshing and local people came to help, would later return to hand. Yes, the owners of the wheat had to provide food and drink to all who came to work.
After some speeches, everything flowed wonders and held its first Community Trilla. It was possible to make a big!, Because someone had planted the town and put the bundles (large bundles of swords). They set up committees, volunteered responsible and got down to work.
flags marked the entrance to avoid getting lost. La Quebrada, February 2011. Anabella Photo
party begins.
The trail is considered by many the most complete peasant party. It brings together religion, folklore, food and community solidarity.
Hauling in wheat was made in advance. Strangely in this time it rained in the area (usually not because we are in summer). I knew well rushed to cover the wheat!
Mass at the Chilean. La Quebrada February JJVV 17/02/2011 Photo La Quebrada.
That Sunday, the sun was shining and the traditional peasant party - in gratitude to the earth and sun to grow and mature stems, "as God commands started with a Mass at the Chilean.
It combined the liturgy with songs to the accompaniment of guitars and harp. Concluding with gifts and blessings.
A side of the era, religious blessing. Photo JJVV La Quebrada.
Professor of the School is the Speaker of the party. Anabella Photo
And the festival begins with a slip, after a brief history about threshing.
The party partly Cueca. 13/2/2011 LQ Anabella Photo
Marchigue Voices Group. Photo Anabella.
was followed by several presentations, with songs and dances very well played. Warmly applauded by the audience.
One post family. Photo Anabella.
This was a party very complete, so in-a-shadow and out of local, organized a show of crafts and local produce.
Chilean cake and sweets for the sweet tooth. Photo Anabella.
Honey and honey syrup. Photo Anabella.
Spirits of grapes, roses, herbs. Photo Anabella.
Lana and weavings. Photo Anabella.
unfolded Outside the loose mare threshing.
Photo Neighborhood Council file. February 2011.
in the "era" mares and horses galloping. The Huasos this time in the harness collars. Every so often, the horqueteros were distributing the wheat from the center of the circle.
horqueteros Group. February 2011. Photo Neighborhood Council.
And other riders ran. Photo Neighborhood Council.
not miss the delicious local food.
Sweets or assorted jams. Photo Anabella.
witch in the kitchen, waiting for hot meals. Photo Anabella.
Muffins made with free-range eggs, or yellow. Photo Anabella.
Well and had to eat members of the Neighborhood multiplied working. Some cooked, others attended. Had to feed those who ran in the era, who cheered with songs, dance, clowning and singing to the human.
The kitchen "boiling" the ladies making lunch. Photo Anabella.
Elsewhere, the knights prepared kebabs and roast Photo Anabella.
The remaining audience, was looking forward to that lunch was about:
Partial view of the lunch hour. Anabella Photo
pies this time would be fried to come out warm. Photo Anabella.
place. La Quebrada in February 2011. Photo Anabella.
And the food was coming from the pots, grill and kitchen witches. There had been a calf, a lamb over this area are tastiest. By evening announced fried rabbit (Which I did not try), a slope which left me with all the curiosity. And it's not the first time, since in this town I've met preparations had not seen elsewhere. Many long-standing. But here's what I did see show.
C adze threshing. Photo Anabella.
Even today, they say when a dish is served very full, a plate of threshing (abundant).
charquicán, with big chunks of meat. Photo Anabella.
At other times and locations, the charquicanes often with mince finely.
The expected marchiguanos roast lamb with fresh tomato and aromatic. Photo Anabella.
threshing casserole meatballs. Yáquil January 2011. Photo Anabella.
Casserole Meatballs in this area is inevitable classic dish of the tracks required in the small north the style is different, over there serve boiled or pan with a piece of meat or prey (beef or goat).
This photograph is another Pile, held days earlier in the nearest town to Santa Cruz, forced to see her comment was, that was more like a plate of "Machitos drowning" that pot of meatballs. The "Machitos drowned", are prepared with plenty of flour and egg, which is added to whatever is at hand. It can take ground or chopped meat and if not there can be vegetables or minced parsley. This thick mass, is dropped from a small spoons to cook in the boiling broth.
Guess what was for dessert? Something refreshing and summery, mote with small bones.
was a great party and attract many visitors; joined this community in the task must not lose their customs, promoting solidarity and mutual aid. All worked enthusiastically and were happy with the results.
payas During lunch they had on the evening singing and dancing, with rural cueca. To be elected King and Queen of Trilla, culminating with a good dance!
Recuerdos de la Trilla. Photo Anabella.
who take part, happy to share this wonderful celebration with the community and countless visitors. Learn more about our rural traditions and enjoying a meal usually served on these festive occasions.
And Finally, came the inevitable punch with peaches. Photo Anabella.
Have a nice end of holiday!
