The totemic animals of the Thau Archipelago

Loupian has ‘wolf’ right in its name. Loup-ian, the land of wolves, serves as a reminder that these predators once roamed the hills overlooking the lagoon. Loupian’s totem embodies this ancestral memory of a time when man and wolf shared the same territory.

Its appearance impresses children and amuses adults. Its jaws open and snap shut abruptly, operated by a rope pulled by the bearers. It snaps shut with a sharp crack that startles the spectators. Tradition has it that it pinches the skirts of young girls who pass too close, provoking laughter and shrieks from the crowd.

But behind its ferocious appearance lies a benevolent protector. The Loupian wolf comes out for special occasions: village festivals, important celebrations, events that bring the village together. Its presence marks the solemn and festive nature of the day.

The history of Mèze beef dates back to the year 59 AD, according to a legend passed down from generation to generation. A poor family from the Béziers area settled on the banks of the Thau lagoon. They made their living from fishing in the lagoon and farming, aided in their daily work by a pair of sturdy oxen.

Thanks to this pioneering family, settlement began to grow around their home, giving rise to the port village of Mèze that we know today. When the two oxen died of old age after years of hard labour, the villagers decided to keep the hide of the finest one. This hide was stretched over a wooden mannequin and preserved as a relic, a symbol of their hard work and the founding of the village.

Today, the Mèze ox takes part in local festivities and all the major events that punctuate community life. As the Mediterranean’s leading shellfish port, Mèze thus honours its agricultural roots and its history.

Legend has it that a gigantic, malevolent wild boar once terrorised the inhabitants of Villeveyrac. The beast attacked crops, ravaged the freshly sown fields and disrupted the peace of the village. The farmers lived in fear of its night-time raids.

One day, fed up with this repeated destruction, the villagers banded together. They tracked down the boar, confronted it and managed to bring it down after an epic hunt. Lou Veydrac – the wild boar in Occitan – thus became a symbol of resistance and collective victory over adversity.

The totem now parading through Villeveyrac keeps this memory alive. It serves as a reminder that, in the face of threats, a united community can triumph. A medieval lesson that still resonates in the village.

Here’s a story that’s a bit out of the ordinary. The Poussan pig is said not to originate from Languedoc, but from Brittany! According to local legend, this wandering pig left its native Brittany to head south in search of sunnier climes.

His journey brought him to Poussan one Shrove Tuesday. The locals, charmed by this unlikely newcomer, crowned him king of the carnival. Ever since, he has embodied the village’s festive and food-loving spirit. Poussan actually has two totemic pigs: the carnival pig, which comes out specifically for this festival, and a second one for official parades and special occasions.

This duality reflects the importance of the totem in community life. The Poussan pig is not just a mascot: it is an emblem that plays an active part in all major celebrations.

Not all totemic animals date back to the Middle Ages. Raimon lo Becarut, the pink flamingo of Mireval, was born in 2021. With his bright pink plumage and long legs, he perfectly embodies the iconic wildlife of the Thau lagoon, where the flamingos have settled.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the family of totems, Raimon already features in all of Mireval’s major events: the carnival, school festivals and local celebrations. His elegance and presence make him an integral part of the village’s living heritage. This recent creation proves that the tradition of totemic animals is not stuck in the past.

It continues to evolve, incorporating new symbols that reflect the contemporary identity of villages whilst respecting the ancestral codes of manufacture and use.

Sète simply had to have a sea creature as its totem. The octopus – known as ‘lou pouffre’ in Occitan – perfectly embodies the spirit of this port town. But beyond the obvious maritime reference, the octopus symbolises something deeper: the blending of cultures and the welcoming of people.

Intelligent and peaceful, the octopus represents Sète’s ability to absorb, integrate and make its own all the influences that pass through it. A city of immigration, a port opening onto the Mediterranean, Sète has always been a melting pot where every newcomer finds their place and contributes to the common endeavour.

The octopus is paraded during Sète’s major celebrations, a reminder of this diverse identity that is the true wealth of this unique island. It is also a direct reference to the tielle, the octopus pie that is the town’s unmissable culinary speciality.

The mullet is a common sight in the Thau lagoon. This silvery fish with a bluish sheen is one of the most common inhabitants of these rich waters. The totem pole in Balaruc-le-Vieux pays tribute to it with a touch of humour and good cheer.

Watch out if you come across the mullet at a festival! This cheerful totem has a special feature: it enthusiastically splashes the spectators. The bearers make it leap and jump like a fish wriggling out of the water, spraying the crowd as it goes. Children love this impromptu splash, especially in summer when the heat is stifling in the hilltop village.

The muge embodies the light-hearted and festive spirit of Balaruc’s celebrations. It also serves as a reminder that Balaruc-le-Vieux, despite its elevated position, has always lived in tune with the rhythm of the lagoon that stretches out at its feet.

The Bouzigues sea urchin has a unique history. Mentioned in ancient texts and in a traditional Languedoc nursery rhyme, this totemic animal had disappeared from view for decades. The tradition had been lost, and the original totem had fallen into disrepair and was eventually forgotten.

In 2022, the village decided to bring its sea urchin back to life. Local craftsmen recreated it in accordance with the ancient descriptions. It made its first official appearance at the Corso de Bouzigues, a festive event that brings the locals together every year. Its success was such that it was invited to take part in the parade at Escale à Sète, the major gathering of traditional sailing ships that attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

This revival is a testament to the villages’ attachment to their totems. More than mere folkloric objects, these animals embody a collective identity that must not be allowed to fade away. The Bouzigues sea urchin now parades proudly, prickly and endearing, just like the shellfish it represents.