Age-old pastoral celebration.

Every autumn, following their descent from the highlands, Iceland‘s free-ranging sheep are brought into communal pens known as réttir. The local community gathers and, amid much bustle, farmers and their families separate the animals according to ownership and prepare them for their return to their respective farms.

This is the second of two instalments documenting an ancient Icelandic tradition. The first part Smölun: Sheep Roundup is here.

The short video accompanying this photo essay is set to Mamaya, sung by the remarkable Malian griot Amy Koita.