In the late 19th century, the German linguist and ethnographer Gustav Weigand documented many of the villages in the Zagori region, including Makrino. Weigand noted that the inhabitants spoke both Vlach and Greek. Over time, however, the decline of traditional pastoral economies led to the gradual erosion of the Vlach language and culture in the village. When I visited in 2019, the only remaining Vlach speaker was not originally from Makrino, having moved there from Syrrako in his youth. However, place names, like Chiatra Musca, have been preserved and are still used, a testament to the village’s enduring cultural heritage.
