Intangible Heritage of the Dehesa: The Educational and Tourist Potential of Traditional Trades

Abstract

Dehesas constitute one of the most relevant and traditional landscapes of the Extremadura region. However, the supremacy given to the economic–productive functionality of agricultural territories over environmental and cultural sustainability leads to the devaluation and neglect of the heritage manifestations of the rural world. Based on this premise, this study aimed to understand the current situation of some of the traditional trades of the Extremadura pasture, assessing the benefits of their conservation and determining the possible threats that hinder their preservation. In addition, it sought to articulate a proposal for solutions aimed at safeguarding them. To this end, the Delphi method was used, and 20 experts were interviewed in depth, mainly cork and charcoal extractors. The results corroborate the existence of various problems faced by the traditional trades, which compromise the conservation of the identity of the rural population and the sustainability of the dehesa. To mitigate these tensions, it was concluded that there is a need to disseminate the heritage of the dehesa through educational and agrotourism experiences to promote an increase in tourist awareness, revalue ancestral knowledge, and contribute to the conservation of intangible assets.

University Students’ Perception of the Dehesa and the Associated Traditional Trades

“…These results coincide with other studies which state that, in spite of the multifunctional character of the dehesa, society conceives these spaces as places destined mainly for production [85]. These findings reflect a lack of comprehensive understanding of the dehesa and reveal the need to promote a more complete knowledge of its diversity of social, cultural, educational and environmental functions [2,11,15,16,37,86,87].…”

“…By showing traditional trades, such as shepherding, the importance of human relationships with the environment is highlighted and the rich cultural history and the great identity value rooted in these practices are recognized [20,35,37]. Furthermore, despite the fact that there are few studies that value the intangible heritage of the dehesa as a priority [1], the literature insists on the importance of considering the customs and traditions as a means to help the sustainable development of rural areas [44].…”

“…The disappearance of traditional trades represents a significant loss for the dehesa and the communities that depend on it, not only from an economic point of view, but also from a cultural perspective. The loss of these trades entails the disappearance of ancestral techniques and knowledge, contributing to the erosion of the cultural identity of rural populations [36,37].…”

“…In spite of the fragile situation of the traditional shepherding profession and the transhumance phenomenon, its progressive valuation from an environmental, social, cultural, educational and recreational perspective is motivating a growing interest in the survival of these ancestral practices [35,38]. In particular, the implementation of rural tourism activities has been a great incentive for the revitalization of dehesa areas in general [9,[39][40][41][42] and of the traditional trades in particular [2,37,43].…”

Field Studies in Heritage Education: Assessing Impact on Tourism and Sustainability at Bujang Valley, Kedah, Malaysia

“…Thus, the null hypothesis H0(3) cannot be rejected. In this view, the strategic enhancement to emphasize the importance of responsible tourism practices could be complied with the initiative of minimizing the environmental impact, respecting local customs, and supporting local businesses [72,73]. Moreover, the attempts on developing and distributing the guidelines for tourists that promote ethical behavior, including waste reduction, energy conservation, and respect for local communities [74,75].…”