This is one of the ancient symbols of the way that nowadays still has the same use.
Pilgrim’s staff
A long time ago pilgrims went into the forest to take one, they usually pick chestnut tree stick or hazel sticks because they have a very resistant wood.
Currently,you can buy it along the way or buy it onthe Internet before starting.
There is also a third option, if you do the French Way,you can visit Pablito de Azqueta a neighbor from Estella. He helps everyone who needs it.
The perfect staff should be a little bit taller than the person who carries it, this way the person would keep his back straight and would have a point of support to walk during long periods of time.
It used to be used to carry the pumpkin and also as a defense mechanism.
Currently, lots of people prefer to buy an appropriate stick for hiking or trekking on any sports store. This kind of sticks are sometimes extensible and also have an appropriate handle.
Nevertheless, we can see lots of pilgrims using the typical staff.
Pilgrim’s pumpkin
This pumpkin, Lagenaria Siceraria, belongs to Cucurbitaceae’s family. In the 12 century BC they were used in Africa to take water and other liquidsand then they were used in America.
It is typical of damp and light ecosystems.
The perfect ecosystem for them is the tropical one because is very damp and also has very hot summers.It a resistant plant that can be used as a graft basis for other weak plants such as watermelon and melon. It has green color but it is normal to leave it dry or cure.
This used to be the typical way to carry water before the use of plastic. It keeps liquid cold and also has the perfect size to hang it on the stick. Charlemagne ordered to plant this vegetable because it was very important to elaborate medicines and ointments.
Currently, it has lost its typical use but it still is a way’s symbol and emblem.