The so-called "Black Arquitecture of Guadalajara" is found in the north of the province of Guadalajara around the Ocejón mountain (2050 meters above sea level). It's materials, types of construction, landscape and topography along with the life-style of the inhabitants give this area a peculiar singularity. In spite of being a well-defined region, it is possible to divide it into two separate areas divided by the Ocejón mountain: the west and the east. The first can be refered to as the largest and second by the villages Hiendelaencina and Cogolludo. The western region is dedicated mainly to livestock (sheep and cattle) and the eastern region shares this activity with a more dynamic agricultural production. Both regions have special architectural and climatic characteristics (there is more rainfall in the Ocejón area). Lastly, the western area is known for the "Stick and pole dances" of it's local fiestas and the eastern for the procession to the Alto Rey of His Majesty.
This rural society maintained a particular life-style until the 20th century. Up to that time, with few changes, many fundimental skills were necessary to survive. Today, the industrial age has changed the view of life and versatility of country folk making them similar to and dependent upon the larger cities. But only 50 years ago people living in these small villages were, at the same time, ranchers and farmers. This was necessary to survive in a mountainous region "blessed" with poor soil and a freezing climate. At different times, one could work as a charcoal-producer, mason, carpenter, basket-weaver, fisherman, shoemaker and long list of etceteras. All this created by isolation, poverty, and the difficulties of trading due to the lack of money. The local markets in Tamajón, Hiendelaencina or Cogolludo and traveling merchants provided the little that was bought outside domestic circles.
Life cycles and materials set the limits of what had to be done at every age. Children, young men, married men and women and old people had their own jobs, their diversions and their responsibilities along with well-defined social roles which changed depending on the sexes and were adjusted accordingly by a Catholic Mediterranean society. Anyone going against any of these set traditions paid a high price personally and socially.
Bowling was the most important masculine pastime along with card games which women also practiced. Conversation was irreplaceable during periods of rest, especially in wintertime, embellished by story-telling and jokes. Not to mention inevitable gossip.
This region belongs to the mediterranean food chain with home-baked bread as a principle element. The rest of the diet was made up of pulses (beans mainly), vegetables and a small consumption of protein from eggs, milk and goat cheese plus pork products from the slaughter of pigs which were then preserved during the winter. Simple home cooked dishes were prepared from these ingredients. Beehives, common to the southern slopes of the region, produced honey and wax and the gardens on the riverbanks provided the fruit that filled out the diet.
Meat (lamb, baby goat, chicken, sheep) was eaten only on special occasions such as fiestas, weddings or special celebrations, along with sweets and wine, and was a departure from the spartan daily fare. These festivities combined with the wearing of new clothes and decoration of the church and statues.
Daily meals started with bread and milk that could be replaced by soup or fried breadcrumbs. Mid-morning was bread with sausage, cheese or fruit. Lunch was a stew with beans, potatoes and some kind of meat as the maindish and supper usually was made up of stewed beans along with some vegetable or potatoes. All this with abundant bread.
The family ate from the same pot with a spoon as the main utensil along with bread. Unwritten protocol in this type of eating dictated that one ate only from the part closest to them without reaching across to other parts of the pot.
Children attended school only until the age of ten at which time they would pass to the tutelage of the father or mother to continue learning the work they should do as an adult.
One of the few means of earning money was the production of wood charcoal which was later sold to the local forges. This activity alternated with the work of tending livestock and agriculture.
This, of course, has changed drastically in the 21st century and most of the region now lives from tourism and many of the old inhabitants have returned from the large cities to reclaim houses and properties that are used as summer homes. There still remain small flocks of livestock, cattle and sheep, but these too are disappearing.