Al Mir’ya’

Al Mir’ya’is a female leader of a group of sheep and/or goats which has a collar with a ringing bell around its neck and walks in front of the animals but behind the donkey during grazing. Al Mir’ya is the first newborn of the sheep and it is like the spoiled child of the Shepherd. The Shepherd takes the newborn sheep from its mother and starts to collect the milk from other goats’mothers in a pot made from iron called Sahleh. Then, he feeds the small sheep with milk using his fingers during the first three days. It does not live with the rest of the animals. Instead, it stays all the time with the shepherd until it is matured enough to be tamed to do its main task of leading the grazing animals. It is not fed with the other goats and sheep; it is fed separately. Unlike other sheep, its wool is not mowed. It has other names like Hadyan, ‘Ashqan, and Rihanso that whenever the shepherds call any of these names, the Mir’ya’ responds.
Al Mir’ya’is is the one that leads the herd. In order to prepare this animal to lead the herd, it has to be separated from the rest of animals and stays with humans to be prepared for its main task as a leader of the herd. Its wool is left long and not sheared, and it is decorated with various ornaments. One of the ornaments used for decorating Al Mir’ya’ is the “Wada” or “Atmakh,” which is a piece placed on the forehead of Al Mir’ya’is made of copper or seashells. Whenever the “Murya’a” walks, the bell jingles, signaling the herd to follow.

The Tools: Bells, dyes, colored wool and fabric