By Hediye Sanri
The Igec family has been maintaining their nomadic lifestyle for more than 60 years, selling meat and milk from their livestock at local markets. The family stated that this year’s nomadic season will begin in early May and continue until mid-September. The nomads have also indicated that due to hot weather, they will adjust the timing and methods of tending to their animals.
The Igec Family Preserves Nomadic Traditions
The Igec family, who live in the village during winter and in the highlands during summer, make their living by raising sheep, goats, and cattle. For more than 60 years, the family has been migrating to the highlands every summer to practice nomadism. This tradition has been passed down from their ancestors and continues to this day.
The highland meadows, which become ready for grazing in early May, signal the beginning of a tiring season for all family members, from the oldest to the youngest.
Daily Highland Routine
Gulcin Igec, a family member, described their life in the highlands as follows:
“From the beginning of the highland season, the entire family wakes up at 5:30 AM every morning and has breakfast. Because of the morning dew during spring months, we release our animals from the pen at 7:30 AM. While the sheep and goats graze, we milk our cows. During the summer months, due to the heat, we release lambs and sheep at different times. Lambs go out at 3:00 AM at night and sheep at 5:00 AM in the morning.”
Gulcin pointed out that due to the heat, they shear both sheep and lambs at the beginning of June. This work is necessary for the better development of the animals. Since lambs are smaller, they can get sick from the heat. To protect the lambs from the sun, the nomads create shade using branches they bring from the forest.
At 9:00 AM, the lambs are brought home, and at 10:00 AM, the sheep are gathered for milking. Milking is done twice a day; the first in the morning and the second in the afternoon. After milking, the sheep and are reunited. Towards evening, sheep and lambs are separated again, and the sheep are taken back out to graze.
Gulcin explained that they turn some of the sheep’s milk into cheese for winter consumption. The remaining portion is processed through a machine to separate the butter and skimmed milk.
End of Nomadic Season and Return to the Village
In early July, it’s time to harvest the meadows. All families in the highlands cut grass from the meadows to feed their animals during the winter months. Previously, this work was done with scythes, but now it’s done with machines. The time for grass cutting indicates that the end of the highland season is approaching.
In mid-September, the nomadic families return to their villages. The sheep that remain in the highlands stay there until the snow falls.
Both Student and Nomad
The children of the Igec family both pursue education and preserve the nomadic culture from their ancestors. Gulcin Igec, one of the family members, continues her university education in her city during the school season, but returns to Igdir during the highland season to help her family.
“Of course, it can be difficult sometimes, especially we face many challenges with phone networks. I also encounter other difficulties at times, for example, rainy, harsh, or windy weather can be challenging for us. We love both our animals and the highlands very much, because we have a natural environment and we’re far from the hustle and bustle of the city,” says Gulcin Igec.
Source: Hediye Sanri, Botan Times
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