Magarci u dubrovačkom zaleđu

Esad, Kurtović

Иницијал. Часопис за средњовековне студије

1

137

159

2334-8003

https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=116734

2013-2020/03/13/10:15:01

The donkey is a useful domestic animal which had an important role in the history of the Eastern Adriatic coast. This is especially true in the case of the narrow coastal strip of land with a specific climate and vegetation in which the donkey represented the most cost-efficient and sustainable cattle used for transport and carrying of loads. The gathered data shows that the breeding of donkeys and working with them was present on the wider Ragusan area and the immediate Slav hinterland which surrounded the Ragusan state from land, i.e. on the territories of Popovo, Ljubinje, Nevesinje, Konavle, Trebinje, Lug and Dračevica. The need for donkeys in this area is best demonstrated by the fact that they occupied a significant place on the Ragusan market among the cattle which was being traded at the time. The price of a good donkey was in the range between 5 and 6 hyperpers of Ragusan dinars. The more expensive donkeys could reach the price of 8 hyperpers, but these cases were rare. The price of cheap donkeys is in the range between 2 and 4 hyperpers. Beside other cattle, the Ragusans also gave donkeys to Slavs in the hinterland for keeping and working by means of a contract which implied mutual benefit for the breeder and owner of the cattle (sozida). The common position of donkeys in transport is illustrated by robberies of donkeys. Apart from stealing, donkeys were sometimes victims of bloody attacks as well. The presented examples show that the donkey was also at this time a source of ridicule and mutual disrespect for people.

donkey, Ragusa (Dubrovnik), Ragusan hinterland