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Ilhan Orak, 72, who became widely known through footage filmed while he worked as a shepherd in Hazarsah village, is still recognized 18 years later.
His village lies in the Solhan district of Bingol, a province in eastern Türkiye.
A crew from the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) filmed Orak in 2008.
The footage captured his warm manner and the sound he makes when calling animals. After it was shared on social media, it was watched millions of times. Orak’s call to his sheep has also been imitated on theater stages.
Orak, a father of five, no longer keeps livestock because of his age. He spends winters at his daughter’s home in Istanbul and summers in his village. Born and raised in Hazarsah, he continues to welcome guests in a black skullcap and a suit.
The 2008 footage includes Orak saying “They do not know me; mine know me," after animals on a pasture failed to respond to his call.
He recently met again with a team from Anadolu Agency (AA), which interviewed him seven years ago.
Visiting a neighbor’s flock, Orak recalled his shepherding days. When the animals he called did not come to him, he said: “It is not coming, so this one is not mine either.”
Orak said he ran to the TRT crew when he heard they had come to the village in 2008. He said animals recognize the voice of their owner or shepherd and go to him when called.
“When I go toward other animals, they run away from me,” he said.
Orak said he has stopped herding. “I miss the old days very much, but I have grown old. Otherwise, I would own a flock again. Everything is good in its time. Now I cannot walk comfortably,” he said.
Orak said he stands by what he said in the 2008 interview.
“We did not say anything wrong in the interview I gave back then, thank God. Wherever I go, my door is open. Everyone loves me. I am still very pleased when my video is shown. I am very happy with the attention shown to me. Many people come to visit me,” he said.
Orak said he spends his days on garden work. “Because I have grown old, I can no longer deal with anything else. I love my village. I only leave here in winter because my children are in Istanbul. I love my land,” he said.
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