What kinds of traditional skills or crafts do Mallorca’s hermits practice to maintain their lifestyle?

Mallorca's hermits, who choose solitude in the island’s remote natural surroundings, often rely on a range of traditional skills and crafts to sustain their simple lifestyles. These individuals typically practice subsistence farming, cultivating small plots of land to grow essential vegetables, herbs, and sometimes fruit. This self-sufficiency extends to raising a few animals like goats or chickens, providing a steady source of milk, eggs, and occasional meat. Their connection to the land is deep, reflecting centuries-old agrarian techniques passed down through generations.

In addition to farming, many hermits engage in traditional food preservation methods such as drying herbs, curing meats, and making preserves. These practices not only allow them to store food through the less productive winter months but also highlight an intimate understanding of local resources and seasonal cycles. Basket weaving, pottery, and simple carpentry are also common skills. Basket weaving, based on local reeds and fibers, serves a practical purpose in daily life, while carpentry is essential for maintaining their rustic dwellings and crafting tools or furniture.

The hermits’ lifestyle often incorporates a meditative rhythm, where these tasks are performed with patience and care, emphasizing quality and sustainability over convenience or commercial gain. Many of the crafts and activities align with a philosophy of harmony with nature, avoiding waste and minimizing impact on the environment. This traditional knowledge not only sustains their lifestyle but connects them to Mallorca’s cultural heritage, reflecting the island's rural past and its enduring relationship between man and land.