Spatial and socio-economic transformation of transhumance in gerger district (Southeast Turkey)

Abstract

Turkey has gone into a rapid process
of transformation especially starting with the 80s.
Un on trolled migration from rural areas to urban
areas since this date, not only led rural areas to be
emptied to a great extent, but also caused emergence
of various structural problems in urban areas.
One of the forms of living in Turkey that were
affected the most by the change and transformation
experienced in rural areas is transhumance. Seminomadic
animal husbandry carried out in almost all
regions of Turkey and the lifestyle related to this
face radical changes.
The Gerger district, located in southeast Turkey,
is one of the areas that experienced this process of
change most noticeably. Transhumance, which has
been carried out for centuries here continuously,
faces significant spatial, economic and socio-cultural
transformations.
In spatial transformation, regression of animal
husbandry activities based on natural environment
conditions and occasional emergence of agricultural
production become prevalent, while significant
differentiations take place in types of residences.
Animal husbandry, which used to be a main
economic activity in the past, disappeared in
dramatic rates and is almost no longer an activity
that brings income, which indicates economic
transformation; again, loss of influence of a set of
social rules that used to be followed precisely and
disappearing of some traditions indicate sociocultural
transformation.