Folk Veterinary and Husbandry Practices in Northern Cyprus

Authors : Savaş Volkan Genç

Pages : 350-366

Doi:10.22559/folklor.2785

View : 70 | Download : 45

Publication Date : 2025-05-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aims to document the folkloric knowledge and practices related to veterinary medicine and animal husbandry in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). From the past to the present, the TRNC economy has been based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with these fundamental sectors constituting a significant part of the island’s cultural heritage. The study includes interviews with two shepherds: Kemal Derinok, born in Paphos-Dimi in 1928, and Adem Sadrazam, born in Tepebaşı in 1958. These interviews cover topics such as the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, animal husbandry techniques, animal products, and beliefs regarding animals. Although the TRNC economy faced difficulties during WWII, animal husbandry remained an important source of income and contributed to the war economy. This study is considered a valuable resource for understanding the island’s social and economic structure, as well as its cultural interactions with the mainland. In the TRNC, folkloric veterinary practices and animal husbandry have been shaped by traditional beliefs and blended with non-scientific methods. This paper examines veterinary and animal husbandry traditions in the TRNC from a folkloric perspective and explores how this knowledge can be integrated with modern veterinary science and contemporary animal husbandry practices. Additionally, it highlights how the island’s rich folkloric heritage can serve as a foundation for culturally sustainable development. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical and cultural context of animal husbandry and veterinary practices in the TRNC, unveiling traditional knowledge and practices that have the potential to enhance the island’s economic and cultural sustainability.
Keywords : folklorik hayvan yetiştiriciliği, folklorik veteriner hekimlik, folklorik terapi