6. Greek Vlachs and Trade: A Unique Sphere of Activity

Several factors drove the northward migration of the Vlachs from the Greek peninsula:

• The processing and trade of wool, a vital and highly sought-after raw material.
• Their intimate knowledge of mountain pass networks (dervenia) and their adeptness at navigating arduous, remote routes—skills honed through their interaction with the rugged natural environment. This included logging, the seasonal movement of their flocks between lowland winter pastures and mountainous summer grazing grounds, and their role in organized transport (kiratzilik) across regions.
• Their craftsmanship in silversmithing, wood carving, and painting (iconography), which necessitated periodic travel beyond their homeland to provide services and trade their goods.

These elements together made mobility an essential and defining trait of Helleno-Vlach identity.