VietNamNet Bridge – As a land with the country’s harshest climate, Ninh Thuan is hot and sunny all year round, but this climate has turned this place into a “mecca” for lambs.
The French began raising sheep in Ninh Thuan more than 100 years ago. The three districts of Ninh Phuoc, Thuan Bac and Bac Ai have the largest numbers of sheep.
Every day, at around 8am, farmers herd the sheep to the fields or mountains. The main food of sheep is weeds. They breed sheep for breeding and for meat in different farms.
Due to the year-round sunny climate and low rainfall, the sheep here are only bred for meat, not wool.
In Ninh Thuan, Cham families are hired to herd sheep for rich families who own big flocks.
Households with fewer than 200 sheep often hire children as shepherds. About three or four kids herd sheep for several families.
Each household mark their sheep by different colors.
In normal weather conditions, at about 4 – 5 pm, when the sun goes down, shepherds drive the sheep home.
Tran Binh An
VNE