Abstract
A TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION PRACTICE IN NOMADIC TURKMEN CULTURE: THE CASE OF “KOŞAN KOŞMAK” IN AKKIŞLA
The tradition of “koşan koşmak”, a traditional sheep-milking method practiced by families engaged in small-scale livestock breeding in the Gömürgen neighbourhood of Akkışla district, Kayseri Province, has long been an integral part of their summer pastoral routine. However, owing to the demanding nature of the practice, younger generations have become increasingly reluctant to continue this tradition, placing it at risk of disappearing. Documenting this traditional milking method in all its aspects within the context of transhumant pastoral life is therefore of great importance for safeguarding and transmitting this cultural heritage to future generations. Accordingly, “koşan koşmak” has been documented in this study through a fieldwork-based folkloristic investigation.Developed through centuries of accumulated experience among Turkmen pastoral communities, the Koşan tradition encompasses far more than the act of milking sheep. It includes the preparation of the koşan rope, the conditioning and management of livestock, the collaborative labour of women, and the guidance provided by shepherds. As such, it represents a collective practice involving all members of the pastoral community and reflects the social organisation and cultural knowledge of transhumant Turkmen life. This study is based on data collected during one week of fieldwork conducted in the study area. The findings document the practice of “koşan koşmak” within its cultural context and contribute to the preservation of an important element of the transhumant pastoral heritage of the region.
Keywords
koşan koşmak, milking, nomadic, tradition, highland transhumance