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Nomads who passed the summer on the highland pastures of Kars, a province in eastern Türkiye, are heading back to Igdir, a neighboring province, with thousands of sheep and goats across snowy mountains as snow falls and temperatures drop.
Nomads engaged in livestock farming in eastern Anatolia go up to the highlands in the region, mainly in Kars, Ardahan and Agri, every year as the weather warms to graze their small livestock. In autumn, when snow and cold begin, they return to their winter quarters with their herds.
The nomads who came from Igdir to Kars in May and grazed their animals on high-altitude pastures have completed their return preparations after the highland season, which lasted about six months.
As snowfall in the city turned the highlands and villages white, the nomads began the difficult journey with their herds. After dismantling their tents and sending their belongings by vehicle, they set out on the road with their animals.
The herds, advancing under snow, are trying to cover hundreds of kilometers and reach Igdir despite the cold weather and difficult terrain.
Moving in several herds to guard against possible wolf attacks and the weather, the nomads aim to complete their journey in about 20 days.
Tahir Semsinzade, one of the shepherds who set out for Igdir, stated that they were caught unprepared by the sudden snowfall.
Explaining that they came from Igdir to Kars in summer to go up to the highlands and began the return with the arrival of autumn, Semsinzade said they were caught in snowfall this year.
Describing the continuing difficult return with thousands of sheep, Semsinzade said: “We are coming from Mount Allahuekber and will go to Igdir. Our road is long, and it is snowing. We set out nine days ago, and we still have a long way to go.”
Semsinzade said that because of heavy snowfall and fog, two herds are traveling one after the other, and that they are on alert against possible wild animal attacks.
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