Three brothers' struggle as shepherds with 3,000 sheep in harsh weather conditions in Ağrı

Three married brothers living in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı work as shepherds in the high-altitude mountains throughout the year. Earning their living from shepherding, the brothers face a struggle in harsh winter conditions.

The lives of brothers İbrahim, Mustafa, and Hakan Kılıç, aged 32, 30, and 22, who live in the 120-household village of Sarıbıyık surrounded by high mountains, are spent chasing animals in the mountains.

The shepherd brothers, who graze the village's small livestock in the highlands throughout the summer months and sleep in the field at night during warmer periods, continue their demanding work during these days when snow and cold weather are prevalent.

Taking the animals out to the field with the first light of morning, the brothers roam the mountains step by step, following the sheep and grazing them until evening.

Struggling against difficult geographical and climatic conditions, the three brothers also try to protect the animals from wolf and wild animal attacks, especially in foggy weather.

Shepherd İbrahim Kılıç said that they love doing their difficult job.

Stating that they are responsible for the village's 3,000 small livestock, Kılıç said:

"I have been a shepherd for about 10 years. As 3 brothers, we graze 3,000 small livestock. Our father also helps us on difficult days. We work as shepherds regardless of summer or winter and take care of the animals. Shepherding is a good profession. We love doing this job. My brothers and I have been doing this profession for years. The profession also has its difficulties. When the weather gets cold and it rains, our job becomes very difficult. We all help each other on difficult days. We are all married."

Kılıç explained that during periods when the weather is nice, one person usually rests in rotation while 2 people graze the animals, but they all work together in adverse weather conditions.

Shepherd Mustafa Kılıç also stated that the weather cooled down early this year, there is snow on the mountains, and their duties will be completed after the region is completely covered in white.

Emphasizing that shepherding is a profession with no day or night, Kılıç noted the following:

"I have been a shepherd for 7-8 years. We, 3 brothers, graze the sheep together. In the summer, we stay in the highlands with the animals for months. Afterwards, we bring the animals down as the fields near the village are mowed. These days, the weather conditions are very difficult. It gets very foggy. There are also many wolves, but since our dogs are good, they do not let them approach the herd. We bring the animals from the village in the early morning hours, graze them until evening, and take them back. We struggle especially in the autumn. When we go up to the highlands in the summer, one of us keeps watch by the animals, and 2 people sleep and rest in the same place. The one who keeps watch at night sleeps during the day."