In addition to fishing, animal husbandry, and consequently grazing and watching of animals, were among the ancient crafts of Kukkonia. Being a shepherd meant a position of trust, as the animals entrusted to this person, and along with them the fate of his master, both depended on the herder of the animals. That is why people of the fields, that is, herders of sheep, swine, horses were highly esteemed. They spoke the language of animals, and they also healed them, and they didn't despise the music either. The bagpipe of each village was usually one of the shepherds.
Shepherds often undertook work as families, sharing with each other the herding of cattle, horses, and pigs. If the shepherd was alone, he commissioned helpers, that is, shepherd boys. In the floodplain areas initially there was only silage farming, meaning that animals grazed all year round away from settlements, usually in areas surrounded by water. Later, stables also appeared. In the fat floodplains of Kukkónia, Hungarian gray cattle, black-haired mangalica, imperial horses, and racka sheep with powdered horns grazed, which were replaced by the Merino breed, which was popular for its wool from the 18th century.
The shepherds' toolbox could not miss the hoop whip, the long-tongued whip and the rattle stick typical also of Rye Island. In addition, many also had horns, which were mainly used for signaling. The bagpipe was also attributed magic in Kukkónia, and it was thought that a good bagpipe could only be made from one who befriends the devil. There were stories circulating about pipes thrown under the bed and playing on their own. The bagpipe was an ancient instrument, the deceptive voice of which influenced instincts, inviting its listeners to a rhythmic, instinctive dance. Moreover, the lyrics of the songs were not written in floral language either. The bagpipe gradually became the amusement of the poorest strata from the popular entertainment of manor houses. The transformation of animal husbandry in Rye Island and the establishment of cooperatives marked the end of bagpipe music and free shepherding. The memory of their magically interwoven stories and cheeky, flushing songs now live only in the tales of a few members of the oldest generation.
