ZEKE Magazine: Spring 2023.2

The construction of the
Ilısu Dam in Turkey had
devastating impacts on
the local community and
environment in the Dicle Valley,
a 100 km-long area along the
Tigris River. The project resulted in
the displacement of over 10,000
people, most of whom are Kurdish
and Arabic, and the submergence
of 198 villages, including the
ancient city of Hasankeyf, one of
the world’s oldest continuously
inhabited settlements.
Despite this, the dam was
constructed as part of the state’s
water policies, with little regard
for the consequences it would
have on the local community and
environment. The inhabitants of
villages were forced to abandon
their ancestral homes, sell their
livestock, and move to a hastily
built new town. The process of
moving was emotionally distressing,
as people had to exhume the
graves of their loved ones and
carry their remains to the new
town so future generations could
visit their ancestors.
Top: A suburb near the center of
Sırnak. The Kurdish group, which
came from different places, is
trying to keep their old traditions
alive. They have fun in solidarity
with their local clothes and traditional
games.
Bottom: Elif is a family member
engaged in animal husbandry.
Due to the overheated water that
has become stagnant, his family
is considering giving up livestock
and emigrating to the big city.
Many families cannot get enough
efficiency from agriculture and animal
husbandry due to the negative
conditions created by the dam.
ZEKE SPRING 2023/ 35