Journal of Rangeland

Rural communities and nomadic pastoralists in Iran manage their livestocks in cooperation with one another. This mutual cooperation or the mutual-help plays an important role among the pastoralists. Survey methods such as direct observation, participant observation and interviews were used to produce qualitative data. This study encompasses several aspects of traditional indigenous knowledge, including analysis of traditional cooperative mechanism of milk-mates management practices based on synergy and its associated local traditions and beliefs. This study emphasizes on the seasonal contribution of rangeland stakeholders which plays an important role on usage and management of sheep dairy and milk production. In the subject of herd management, various social roles are present in the form of a social institution called "Chakanah", which are traditionally named: Sarchakanah, Chakanah, Taraz and shepherds. There is a social institution for the distribution of cattle milk among individuals called "Shir-Rafigh". This organization of pastoralists strengthens social ties and dairy processing productivity in terms of both self-utilization and market.