Traditional sheep and Goat farming folkways and mores in Tamil Nadu

Folkways and mores play a major role in traditional sheep and goat farming. Hence, an attempt was made to document the prevailing folkways and mores in traditional dairy farming in the areas where sheep and goat population is high. Tirunelveli, Namakkal, Vellore and Thiruppur districts were selected for the study based on the highest livestock population. Atotal number of12 folkways and mores related to sheep and goat farming were documented. A sample of240 farmers was interviewed through structured interview schedule to document the folkways and mores. Some of the identified folkways and mores include sheep and goats were given as gift in marriages oftribal communities, stroking dry red chillies, hair and salt on the fire after taking them over the sheep, Tying a talisman (taweez) around the neck of sheep to protect it from Jaundice and other diseases.