THE JUHASI, OSCYPEK MAKERS
Poland, 2014.
Oscypek, a polish cheese made from ewe's milk, is a protected trade name under the EU's Protected Designation of Origin geographical indication since 2008. This cheese is the result of a traditional handcraft process perpetuated by mountaineers, the Juhasi.
They live in the Tatras or the Pienines mountains around bacowkas, traditional wooden shelters where the cheese is molded and smoked. The baca is the boss and the owner of it. The Homole Wawoz’ bacowka is located in the center of the Pieninsky national parc in the Pienines mountain, not far from the Slovakian border.
During 4 months in the Summer, when the weather starts to be better, the Juhasi are taking care of the sheep. The work is hard. They’re not coming back home, down in the valley. Completely isolated from the world, They follow the rhythm of their sheep. This traditional way of life is disappearing. Wojciech Gromada is a good example : baca from generations, his two sons went in the city to work and raise their families.
