Terekeme. Qishlaq

This photo series was captured in Terekeme-owned qishlaq in the Gobustan region. Gobustan, widely known for its mud volcanoes and ancient rock carvings, is a rugged, hilly area carved by deep ravines, located 60 kilometers south of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The region’s relatively mild winters and accessible pastures make it an ideal location for livestock wintering.

A selection of photographs depicting the life of cattle breeders, primarily in the Haji Molla Veli qishlaq, as well as neighboring qishlaqs. It has been used for centuries by nomadic families belonging to the Jabirli tribe. These families originate from the village of Arabshalbash, which they also refer to as Jabirli. They are primarily professional cattle breeders leading a semi-nomadic existence.

These images capture the rhythm of wintering — long nights warmed by wood stoves, daily care for livestock, and the deep connection between people and their animals. The harsh yet beautiful landscape shapes their daily routines, from herding through the frosty plains to ensuring the well-being of their flocks. While some aspects of life have changed with modernization, winter in the qishlaq continues to follow familiar rhythms, shaped by the needs of the livestock and the surrounding landscape. Since 2018, I have periodically visited them at different times of the year and had the opportunity to live with a Terekeme family, documenting their way of life as it gradually fades under the pressures of modernization and urban expansion.

Photographs taken between 2018 and 2025.