Tending the flock

Tending the flock

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Stars shine over traditional nomad tents known as yurts on a remote, mountainous plateau of Kazakhstan.

Following a nomadic tradition that dates back centuries, farmers still come to the Assy plateau, which lies some 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) above sea level, to tend their livestock during the summer season.

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Sheep and goats are herded into an enclosure for the night on the mountainous plateau.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Sheep and goats are herded into an enclosure for the night on the mountainous plateau.

Dzhamilya Boribayeva, a farmer's wife, milks a horse grazing in the rolling landscape.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Dzhamilya Boribayeva, a farmer's wife, milks a horse grazing in the rolling landscape.

Zhambytai Zhumaliyava, also a farmer's wife, cooks outside her family's yurts.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Zhambytai Zhumaliyava, also a farmer's wife, cooks outside her family's yurts.

Zhambytai and her granddaughter Ayazhan prepare traditional kurt cheese balls.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Zhambytai and her granddaughter Ayazhan prepare traditional kurt cheese balls.

A family has breakfast inside a yurt.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

A family has breakfast inside a yurt.

Makpal Erkinbekova, a farmer's daughter, is reflected in a mirror hanging on the wall of her family's dwelling.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Makpal Erkinbekova, a farmer's daughter, is reflected in a mirror hanging on the wall of her family's dwelling.

Nurtleu, who is one and a half years old, pushes his pram.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Nurtleu, who is one and a half years old, pushes his pram.

The little boy talks to his grandfather Turgynbay Erkinbekov, a seventy-year-old farmer, as he sits near their horses.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

The little boy talks to his grandfather Turgynbay Erkinbekov, a seventy-year-old farmer, as he sits near their horses.

Shepherd Panarbek Madiyar walks inside an enclosure packed with sheep and goats.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Shepherd Panarbek Madiyar walks inside an enclosure packed with sheep and goats.

A newly born baby goat stands inside an enclosure.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

A newly born baby goat stands inside an enclosure.

Herders ride next to sheep and cattle on the Assy plateau.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Herders ride next to sheep and cattle on the Assy plateau.

Azhar, a six-year-old farmer's daughter, tends to a horse.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Azhar, a six-year-old farmer's daughter, tends to a horse.

Horses graze near two yurts.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Horses graze near two yurts.

A farmer's yurt stands in front of a Soviet-era observatory on the mountainous plateau.
. Almaty, Kazakhstan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

A farmer's yurt stands in front of a Soviet-era observatory on the mountainous plateau.