Description :
This episode of Radio País is part of the Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana), a European cooperation project co-funded by the European Union, dedicated to preserving and transmitting the oral memory and intangible cultural heritage of Europe’s rural and mountain regions. In this interview, ethnologist Ariane Bruneton shares the findings of her research on the traditional kitchen gardens (casaus) of Béarn, originally published in 1988, highlighting their cultural, social and symbolic significance.
Drawing on fieldwork carried out in Béarn during the 1980s, Bruneton explains that the kitchen garden was much more than a place for growing vegetables. It was a distinctly feminine space, reflecting the organisation of work within the household, where women were responsible for cultivation, seed selection and food production. The garden also served as a visible measure of a woman’s diligence and reputation, as neighbours observed and compared the care devoted to each plot. Beyond food production, it embodied local knowledge, seasonal rhythms, medicinal and protective plants, and the close relationship between rural communities and their environment.
The discussion also explores the profound changes that have affected these traditional gardens over recent decades. Mechanisation, supermarkets, urbanisation and changing lifestyles initially led to their decline, while more recently there has been renewed interest in home gardening, including in urban settings such as rooftop gardens. Bruneton reflects on how the functions and meanings of gardens have evolved, illustrating the broader transformation of Béarn’s rural society while underlining the continuing importance of preserving this rich cultural heritage.