A Review of the Names Given to Cattle in the Yomra District of Trabzon

Abstract

Throughout the history, mankind has felt the need to give names to many living or lifeless beings around him, especially to his own species. The concept that there is a connection between the name and the fate of the one who has the name is prevalent in almost all of the communities. In this respect, it can be said that the issue of naming is not seen as an ordinary issue. In this study, some animal names especially the names of the cattle are investigated. The names given to the cattle of the people in the Yomra district of Trabzon have been identified by the interview technique as a result of the compilations made from the oral culture environment. In the study, the investigation focuses on in what terms people who lead a life through highland farming and dairy farming give names to their cattle which are very important for them. In addition to being essential for the local people to benefit from their meat, milk and skin, cattle seem to be the most essential element of a cultural heritage. It is also seen that cattle are regarded as a friend that one can communicate and talk about their griefs. As a result, a need occurs to give names to cattle in that they are regarded as a member of a family with this respect. After interviewing eight people, 111 cattle names were identified and classified thematically under 17 headings. 1. The names related to the day, month or season that cattle were born, 2. The names related to political figures or heroes in the history, 3. The names related to other animals, plants, mines etc., 4. The names related to where the cattle were born, 5. The names related to the feelings such as gratitude, admiration or amity, 6. The names related to sky, cosmology or meteorology, 7. The names with rhymes, 8. The names related to fashion and cultural changes, 9. The names related to wish for the cattle live long 10. The names related to rose, 11. The names related to species of the cattle, 12. The names related to names of the human-beings, 13. The names related to their physical appearances, 14. The names related to their color, 15. The names related to their temperament, 16. The names related to evil eye, 17. Other names. The people's naming of their cattle should also be considered as proofthat they personify and value them as if they are human beings. This study, which reveals a new way and analysis for the classification of the names given to cattle, is likely to contribute to further research on this area beyond filling a gap in folklore and linguistics.