The role of indigenous knowledge and local traditions in management of sheep products (Case Study: Kodir village- Mazanderan province)

Mutual help among pastoralists plays a key role in herding of rural communities in Iran. This research aimed to evaluates the role of local traditions in dairy products in Kodir village, located in Kojur district of Mazandaran province. Qualitative methods such as direct and cooperative observation, organized interview and open questionnaire were used to evaluate the role of indigenous knowledge in livestock management in forest. The impacts of this sort of knowledge toward processing and dividing of dairy products in the form of “Ayar Zani” cooperative were also assessed. According to the results, pastoralists have been implemented a social organization for dairy production and management based on their local traditions and customs. This organization is a kind of social capital for utilizers. Improvement of social cohesion and social capital in pastoralists is achieved by social network which is required for economical sustainability in the study area. Also mutual help in the network have been stabilized their cultural traditions and believes.