Time in peasant farming life follows the rhythms of everyday life. The seasons of the year mark out periods of work and relaxation, socialising and isolation.
As they alternate, the seasons demand that people carry out different tasks in succession: sowing is followed by the vendema (olive harvest) once newly growing vines have been seen to, grain must be harvested, threshed and winnowed, and once this is over, it is time for grapes to be harvested and pressed.
The shepherd's year is divided into summer and winter periods, each lasting six months. The first is the more important of the two, being the productive one.
