The muleteer—in Greek,
αγωγιάτης (agogiatis) or κυρατζής (kyratzis)—has historically
served a vital function in Hydra Island’s transport: of goods, in the old days
of large casks of wine (in askia), and of people, such as doctors
visiting patients, government officials performing their duties, and so forth.
Greek horsemen are skilled professionals, often having learned the trade from
their fathers or other family members from a young age. The drivers use mules
and donkeys, as well as horses, in their work, and until the arrival of wagons
and trucks in the 1930s, these animals provided the dominant mode of transport
for both people and products. In Hydra, because the island is a protected
national monument where all but a few essential vehicles (trucks to collect
garbage and move extremely heavy loads, an ambulance) are banned, equines
remain the main form of land transport even today.
In the past, for his
services the muleteer (agogiatis) received a payment, called agoi (αγώϊ),
set according to the route (στραθιά—strathia) and sometimes according to
the weight of the goods transported. In those years, the agogiatis,
usually a farmer himself, could in this way supplement his income from
agriculture and earn a relatively good living. However the job of agogiatis is
now included in the category of Greek traditional professions that are
disappearing, and only intelligent governmental and municipal policies can
ensure their survival.
Dramatic statistics show
that this profession is under threat not only in Greece but in other
Mediterranean countries, where motorized transport had replaced the use of
equines across the board. The island of Hydra, however, has stood firm against
this trend. By a decision of the municipal council, we have no private cars,
lorries, buses, or motorbikes; even bicycles are banned within the town limits.
Hydriotes conduct the vast majority of their land transport with mules, horses,
and donkeys. Despite the economic crisis and everyday problems, Hydra’s
horsemen still work in a profession with a dignified past and have dreams for a
promising future. The island of Hydra provides a unique model of
human-animal interaction and sustainable development and serves as an example
to the rest of the world.
Hydra’s Equines
In recent years Hydra’s
local animal lovers’ association, HydraArk (Kivotos tis Ydras) has collaborated
with the Municipality of Hydra, the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF), and
Animal Action Greece to organize an annual visit by a team of equine care
specialists (an equine vet, farrier, and dentist). On these occasions the
island's equine owners bring their animals to a convenient area for a
free-of-charge general welfare examination and any needed treatment, according
to veterinarian best practices. The vets also educate the owners in animal
welfare and basic health-care procedures and techniques to better care for
their animals. (For more info regarding Hydra's equine welfare, visithttp://www.hydraark.com/about-hydras-equines/.)
Hydriotes and muleteers
have deep affection for their animals and consider them part of the family.
Most of them have learned their trade from their fathers and have grown up
among horses, mules, and donkeys as an integral part of their community. One of
their major desires is the creation of a sun shelter for working equines in the
port.
