Shepherds Preparing Artisanal Cheese With Sheep Milk In Ilisu, Azerbaijan Stock Photo

İlisu is a village and municipality in the Qakh Rayon of Azerbaijan. It has a population of 1,370. It was the capital of the Elisu Sultanate Khanate. Ilisu State Nature Reserve was established on 1987. It is located on the south side of the Greater Caucasus Gakh, between Zagatala and Ismayilli Reserve. Traditional shepherd culture is still very alive in the Ilisu region. Sheep, horses and cattle spend the summer months grazing in high altitude pastures. The shepherds and their dogs guard them against the eventual attack of wolves and bears. The shepherds often stay several weeks or even months with their flocks, living in basic huts and tents. They shear the sheep and later sell the woolen fleece to the villagers. They also make artisanal cheese with the sheep’s milk.