Buffalo Breeding in Mustafakemalpaşa
In the Mustafakemalpaşa district of Bursa, water buffalos entering the stream to cool off on hot summer days create images reminiscent of buffalo herds roaming the African savannah. This interesting sight, combined with the natural beauties of the region, creates a unique picture.
The rural Karaoğlan Neighborhood, located in the area where the Mustafakemalpaşa Stream flows into Lake Uluabat, has been continuing the tradition of buffalo breeding for centuries. In this region, the daily milk of the buffalo fed in the pastures is carefully taken care of by shepherds around the stream. Male buffalo and animals in the growing stage are grazed in the pastures by the lake from spring to autumn.
Buffalo meat, milk and yoghurt, which are preferred for their nutritional content and quality, are sent from Karaoğlan to all corners of the country, contributing to the recognition of these valuable products.
Buffaloes grazing in the Mustafakemalpaşa Stream region find the opportunity to cool off by entering wetlands on hot summer days. The buffalo entering the water brings to mind the images of buffalo herds we see in the African savannas. These unique moments are recorded with a drone, creating a visual memory of documentary quality.
Mehmet Kızıl, 60, a resident of Karaoğlan, says they are making a great effort to pass on buffalo farming to future generations. The fact that there are 3rd and 5th generation buffalo farming families in the village shows how deep-rooted this tradition is. Kızıl says they see buffalo farming as a national value and are determined to keep this profession alive.
Emphasizing that the streams passing around the neighborhood make water buffalo husbandry easier, Kızıl says:
- “We are trying to continue Anatolian buffalo breeding. The points where the Mustafakemalpaşa Stream flows into Lake Uluabat are a great advantage for us.”
- “Buffalos lie down here to cool themselves. When they run from the pasture to the water, they resemble a herd of buffalo being chased by lions in Africa. Here, we feel like we have seen the Africa we see in documentaries.”
- “The buffalo is already a water buffalo. Without water, there is no buffalo. Where there is buffalo, there is water. The two complement each other.”
59-year-old Hüseyin Kırmızı says that they have been raising water buffalo for three generations since his grandfather and that they are trying to continue this profession that they inherited. Kırmızı says, “In water buffalo raising, which is an easy job, all it takes is for the animal to go to pasture.”
However, Red draws attention to the difficulties of buffalo breeding by saying, “It is not like other animals. It is becoming extinct. Even in our village, its numbers have decreased.” Red says that his son, who works in another business, is also interested in buffalo breeding and plans to do this job after he retires, and adds that they are trying to keep buffalo breeding alive.
Here are the images recorded by drone…
