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ZOZAN

Kurdish Nomads ( Koçer )

Kocer is a community living without their own house and land and they are occupied with small cattle raising. According to the season and vegetation, Kocers live in tent, migrate from prairies to uplands or vice versa with the aim of finding a good one. Every year when the weather starts to get hot, hundreds of families go to Erzurum uplands from Diyarbakir with their cattle. Dairy farms owner rent the upland, which is public domain or private ownership, for one season. Kocers have to give all of the cheese that they produced to the dairy farm to go to the upland.

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When the sun sets shepherds go to the mountains with their herds. Next day at midday they turn back to their tents to milk.

There are 76 tents for 34 families at the Gola Xerzo district. The number of small cattle on the upland is 13500 in total.

Welat’s father works in Diyarbakır, that is why his mother and brothers brought the herd to the upland.

Women boil the remaining water of cheese and make lorik out of it. Men do not get share from the sale of lorik.

Beasts of burden are important for Kocers.

The cheese gained is given to the dairy farm.

At the end of the season the dairy farm owner and Kocers sit to deal.

Milk rests for yeast.

Peddlers go around the upland and supply the necessities of Kocers for wool or money.

Making the Namaz prayer at the right time is important for Ali.

Cuma visits Aunt Remziye who came to the upland late and welcomes her.

Besides helping men on the upland, woman has to take care of the daily housework.

Kocers not being able to go to the city for months has to provide their needs.

Berivans milk.

There are 76 tents for 34 families at the Gola Xerzo district. The number of sheeps and goats on the upland are 13500 in total.

Fethi Aga

Welat cries when Diyar gets his only toy.

Sheeps are cliped in June.

One of the tents is used as kitchen.

Fresh cheese is being crumbled and salted to make tulum cheese.

Kocer men play checkers. One who looses will cut the sheep.

Kocers not being able to go to the city for months has to provide their needs. Kocer woman bath her child.

Women help men outside besides their daily work.

Afternoon is the time to rest for Kocers.

Aunt Remziye takes care of her guests while she knits.

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