Goat Man of Sicily

October 16, 2011

I found the Goat Man in Southeast Sicily near the village of Acate.

“Three hundred,” he said when I asked how many he had.

Goatherd in Southeast Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

He lit a Pall Mall and we watched the animals prance across the road.

Goats in Southeast Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

They weren’t fast enough for the Goat Man. He lost patience.

Goatherd in Southeast Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

I climbed back into the car, watched the Goat Man wave around a stick, and continued on to Acate.

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12 comments to Goat Man of Sicily

  • This article post is great, I have traveled the Tuscan countryside many times, but have not yet made it to Sicily, although that is where my ancestors come from. Your photos are classic. I have a Great Pyrenese and she would love to make the trip to be among the 300 herd. Thanks for the smile your post put on my face. I will share this with a few friends of mine:)

    • Jann

      Thank you for reading & commenting, Dori. I hope you make it soon to your ancestral land. They’ll greet you with open arms!

  • Jann, the goat man sure has character! I’m with Sam–he would definitely fit in beautifully into a children’s storybook. Just look at the way he walks with his cane! Incredible! And the photo of the goats is just amazing! They too fit in beautifully with the story!

  • Charlie

    He needs some dogs! Although I’m not sure how well goats can be herded. My wife teaches herding dogs to herd sheep, ducks, and cattle.

    • Jann

      What an interesting job your wife has, Charlie! Goat Man did have a dog, but I think it needed your wife’s lessons.

  • I think Italian goats are cuter than Fiji goats…
    Great pictures Jann!

  • –Goat man has lots of character— But I wouldn’t want to be one of his goats!

    I always look forward to your photos & adventures. Loooooooooove the pictures of people. Just regular people. So interesting, J. Xx

  • Sam

    I think a lot of children’s book illustrators would love to hire this guy as a model.

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