It is an icon of identity which adorns the walls of dozens of villages from the Petite Camargue to Vaunage. Empègue is a bit like the history of bouvine meets popular art. This word borrowed from the langue d’oc and which can be translated as “stick” in the literal sense of the term, is a witness to the bullfighting culture that Clément Serguier, co-author and editor of the book, wanted to capture. Empègue popular/contemporary art, history and territorypublished by Editions Randomly Baptize!.
“It was by discovering these prints in Aubais, in Gard, in Vaunage, near Sommières, on the walls of the village, and then in Cailar and Beauvoisin, that the idea came to me to write a book. on empègue, a very popular tradition in this sector, and yet very little known elsewhere“, specifies the editor.
A tradition that dates back to conscripts in the 19th century
An entire chapter called “A word on language” is first devoted to the etymological origin of the word empègue. “It comes from pitch, pègue is pitch, the glue which was used to mark barrels and which is also sometimes used to mark sheep. The ferrade, which is specific to the world of bulls to mark animals, is found with this tradition of empègue with young people who mark the facades with an imprint of their generation“, explains Clément Serguier.
With this tradition of empègue, young people leave a mark on the facades of their generation.
Clément Serguier, co-author and editor.
A ritual about which he knew nothing, but which is nevertheless still relevant today in the heart of the Petite Camargue, between Vistre and Vidourle. “The oldest empègue dates from 1894, a red horse spotted in Beauvoisin. In reality, it is a tradition that dates back to the conscripts, that is to say those who were called to serve in the army, in the 19th century.explains the publisher. They passed through the villages to do what we call aubades, during which they asked for alms to celebrate. To thank people who gave them something, they put a print on the wall. A symbolic imprint that was different every year.“
“A symbolic universe around the bull”
Bulls, horses, herdsmen, Arlesiennes… These drawings, formerly made by hand and today by stencil, are closely linked to bouvine. “A symbolic universe which revolves around the bull, the horses, the herdsman and animals of the Camargue such as the flamingo cis a territory passionate about bouvine. Often when conscripts asked for money, it was to pay for bullfights..”
