Shepherd's leap

the Shepherd's Leap.

Theshepherd's leap(Spanish:Salto del pastor) is a folksportpractised throughout theCanaryIslands.

History

The origins ofsalto del pastormay date back to theGuanches,the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands prior to theCastilianconquest period of the early 15th century. Canarianshepherdsrequired a specialised means oftransportingthemselves safely across ravines and down steep embankments, and settled on the use of long wooden poles known aslanzaorgarrote.These poles are fitted with sharp metal points calledregatón.

Description

Salto del pastor practitioners have developed a wide range of techniques to facilitate quick and agile movement across extremely difficult and dangerous terrain. These techniques range frompole-vaultingacross crevices to the "dead drop" in which the practitioner leaps into space from heights of up to eight metres (26 ft), jamming thegarroteinto the ground below and then sliding down the pole. There are many other types of leaps, depending on the nature of the obstacle to be cleared. Some of these are sufficiently dangerous to have given rise to legends such as thesalto del enamorado(lover's leap) and thesalto de media luna(half moon leap).

Development

Assalto del pastorhas now developed into a folk-sport, thegarroteis also used in competitive events, which include climbing up and jumping over walls, speedy descents down steep rocks, precision leaps, andacrobaticfeats.

Other data

The lance of the shepherd is part of the iconographic attributes ofSaint Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur,who is the first saint of the Canary Islands. This is because said Saint was a pastor or peasant before becoming a missionary inGuatemala.

See also

• Fierljeppen

External links

• Web oficial de la Federación de Salto del Pastor Canario
• Patronato de Turismo, Salto del Pastor Canario
• Curso de Salto del Pastor Canario
• Web del Gobierno de Canarias sobre juegos y deportes tradicionales
• Detalles de construcción de garrotes