Traditional life on the border (I)

Most of the rayanos have developed a self-sufficient economic model, based on farming and traditional shepherding, supplemented with traditional cross-border smuggling activities.

In August 2008, Carlos lived with his wife in a humble dwelling within the walls of the medieval fortress of Ouguela (Portuguese parish of Campomaior) and worked in the fields. He also made wine and spirits for his own consumption.

During the two interviews we had, Carlos told me that for several years he had worked as a backpacker (smuggler) for the firm Cafés Silveira, located in Campomaior, and assured me that there were women who also worked as paid mixed settlements like himself. Referring to the Reyerta (Referta) of Ouguela he explained that the enclave had been a place of refuge for many Spaniards following the war of 1936-1939, where, according to him, over 300 people lived for a time.

In the second interview Carlos admitted that he and all his family had suffered greatly from hunger.