7. Farming and Weaving

Wool emerged as the raw material that “bridged distances and broke human isolation”. Locally, shepherds often doubled as merchants, transporting their woven goods to nearby areas, where they sold them for money or bartered them for other products. As early as the 16th century, Ottoman economic records reference Vlach shepherds and transactions related to the sale of their goods.

By the 18th century, Macedonian wool—highly prized by textile industries in Austria, Germany, and the workshops of Thessaloniki—became a cornerstone of the Vlachs' commercial endeavors. Vlach cloaks (kapes), featuring their distinctive hoods (katsioules), were celebrated for their exceptional waterproofing and durability. For over a century, these cloaks ranked among the most significant export products, equipping sailors, military forces, and rural communities across Central and Western Europe.