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Paper short abstract:

The leader-sheep is native to Iceland and faced extinction last century. The discourse was more akin to losing cultural heritage rather than an animal going extinct. The stories that surround it are almost full-fledged folktales about how they have saved their herds and shepherds from various perils

Paper long abstract:

The leader-sheep is a breed of the Icelandic sheep and has been native to Iceland for a millennium and is mostly unknown in other countries. The breed resembles goats, is thin and tall, with long legs and not bred for meat consumption. Instead, it’s bred for its ability to lead the herd, predict changes in weather and as a companion to shepherds. When it faced extinction in early 20th century the contemporary discourse centred on how Iceland was losing important, intangible cultural heritage, rather than the extinction of an animal. Leaders within the farming community spoke nostalgically about them and the loss of the brightest and best part of sheep farming. The breed didn’t go extinct though, and lives on today, continuing their role, as they have done for a millennium.

The stories that have been written about it border on the mythical and legendary, almost full-fledged folktales about how the leader-sheep has saved their herds and shepherds from perils. Icelandic farmers have a deep connection to their leader-sheep and respect them, as seen in the stories collected from the end of 19th century until today, in recent interviews to this day. They have often been a symbol of all that is good and great within sheep-farming. This presentation will delve into the discourse concerning the breed and how farmers have recreated a purpose for it in modern times, which is both alike and different from what it once was.