Mesta
Mesta is a river in Bulgaria and Greece, see Mesta (river).
Mesta is also another name for the Egyptian god Imsety, one of the Four sons of Horus.
Mesta is a village in the southwestern part of the island of Chios in Greece, see Mesta, Greece
Mesta is an Indian fiber plant variety that falls into the Hibiscus genus (Hibiscus Sabdarifa) and often refered as wild jute or Bimlipatam jute. It is one of the cousine of Kenaf Plant (Hibiscus Cannabinus).
The Mesta (Spanish 'Honrado Concejo de la Mesta', Honored Council of the Mesta) was a powerful association of sheep holders in the medieval Kingdom of Castile.
The sheep were transhumant, migrating from the pastures of Extremadura and Andalusia to Castile and back according to the season.
The exportation of merino wool enriched the Mesta members (nobility and church orders) who had acquired ranches during the process of Reconquista.
The kings of Castile conceded lots of privileges to the Mesta. Even today, sheepherds may be transported by rail, but the cañadas (traditional rights of ways for sheep) are legally protected "forever" from occupation and barring. Some Madrid streets are still part of the cañada system, and there are groups that organize sheep transportation across the modern city as a reminder of old farming.
Etymology
The word comes from Latin animalia mixta ("mixed animals"), beasts without a known owner. The reunion of beast to attribute them became a reunion of shepherds. When the council was established, it was also called mesta.
The word mustang comes from mesteño or mestengo ("a mesta [i.e. ownerless] beast").
Reference
- Diccionario Crítico Etimológico Castellano e Hispánico, by Joan Corominas and José A. Pascual, vol IV, Editorial Gredos, 1989, Madrid, ISBN 84-249-0066-9