hā sà kè

哈萨克

chuán tǒng

传统

yáng

羊

nǎi zhì pǐn

奶制品

In Kazakhstan, sheep milk used to be the most important dairy product for people.

A long time ago, people made cheese and butter from sheep milk, and these foods were very nutritious.

Now, many people no longer use sheep milk to make dairy products; most sheep are raised for meat.

Only a few villages still keep the tradition of making cheese from sheep milk.

In summer, herders drive the sheep to the mountains to graze and bring them back to the village in autumn.

Milking sheep requires skill, and usually the elders in the family teach the young how to do it.

Cheese made from sheep milk is called 'Kurt'; it has a very special taste and is very healthy.

Although few people make sheep milk cheese now, this tradition helps people remember past life and the relationship between family and animals.