Turkmen shepherd is a multifaceted person

The shepherd is an integral part of the Turkmen traditional society. This character is vividly depicted in folk tales, songs, proverbs and legends. The image of a shepherd is so popular that common people perceive it as something ordinary. Such fame makes the shepherd a hostage to oblivion and even mediocrity. However, close attention reveals the versatility and diversity of this phenomenon. The shepherd is a set of properties and features, unique in nature. The mention of the shepherd regularly appears in the works of Turkmen scholars describing human pastoral activities. Nevertheless, specific works on the life of shepherds are few. In this article, the author attempts to partially fill this gap. Using a complex method, the author supplement the available research material with information gained from the sources of the 19th century, as well as from folklore. The Turkmen shepherd is not a simple man. The constant presence in the harsh conditions of the desert and steppe made him the owner of the necessary features that helped him cope with difficult and dangerous work. The shepherd was a good reader of the natural and climatic features of the local region. He knew how to determine the onset of the change of seasons by the starry sky, in order to protect his herds from possible problems. This knowledge was preserved in shepherds' daily practice in the form of folk beliefs and superstitions. The shepherd perfectly knew the location of grassy fields and water sources. The shepherd was well aware of the habits and behavior of cattle. The healthy condition of the cattle was the shepherd's main concern. In the past, various traditional folk methods of treating domestic animals from various diseases were practiced. In the desert, shepherds' lives were threatened by poisonous snakes and spiders. To protect themselves from them, shepherds used various spells. The shepherd's dog Alabay protected herds from predatory animals and was the shepherd's constant companion. The shepherd's main tool was the crook considered as a sacred object possessing magical powers. The art of the tracker helped the shepherd find sheep that had strayed from the herd in time, and good orientation in the area was the key to safety and protection of the herd. The shepherd's helper was a “choluk” - a herdboy in charge of herd management, cattle care, as well as all kinds of household issues. In the most difficult moments, the shepherd, in his prayers, turned to his spiritual patrons, asking for help and support.

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