Description :
In this episode of “Orality and Humanity”, Jean-Paul Ferré continues his exploration of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Couserans and its place within the European Tramontana network. The programme introduces the testimony of Jeanot Cabos from Bamalò, a village located between Castillones, Aulus and the Val d’Aran, an area marked by linguistic exchanges and cultural influences. Through his personal story, Jeanot shares memories of a rural world where human life was deeply connected with animals, nature and traditional ways of living.
The conversation focuses on the relationship between humans and animals as a central element of mountain culture. Jeanot Cabos recalls a childhood in which animals were an essential part of everyday life, not only as a source of work and subsistence but also as living beings deserving respect and attention. His testimony reveals a worldview based on proximity, observation and coexistence, where farming practices, local knowledge and language expressed a profound understanding of the natural environment.
The episode also highlights the richness of the Occitan language and its ability to describe the rural world with great precision. Jean-Paul Ferré and his guest discuss the existence of a detailed vocabulary related to animals, farming and traditional practices, often more specific than equivalent terms in French. Through these oral testimonies, the Tramontana project contributes to preserving not only words and expressions, but also the knowledge, values and human relationships that form the cultural identity of European mountain territories.