Tradition of millstone production in Anatolia continues in Giresun

Bayram Karaman, a 59-year-old stonemason in Giresun, Türkiye, makes millstones using tools he manufactured

Bayram Karaman, 59, who lives in the town of Sogukpinar in the Espiye district of the Giresun province of Türkiye, started working in mill repair at the age of 20 and today he continues as one of Anatolia’s rare millstone masters who continues the production of millstones with tools he has made himself.

As Karaman produced millstones, he improved his technique over time.

In front of his house, Karaman, who calculated and shaped the necessary dimensions for the stones to grind corn kernels, became one of the most sought-after millstone masters in the region.

Karaman also made a water flow from stone for a fountain 25 years ago upon request. For years its use has been enjoyed by locals, word spread, and Karaman continues to process stones for fountains in highlands and villages.

Karaman established a blacksmith\s forge on the ground floor of his home after the tools he processed stones with quickly wore out. Using the forge, he trained himself to produce new tools.

Bayram Karaman told an Anadolu Agency correspondent that he became interested in this business during his childhood when an old master said, “The master does not wait in the mill, the one who comes to the mill waits.” It was then when he started to disassemble and repair millstones.

Stating that his father, who repaired mills from time to time, also contributed to him becoming interested in the craft. Karaman said that he used to make toy mills as a kid.

Stating that there is no other master left in town, Karaman said, “We had a master, but he got old and sick. I cannot find an enthusiast in our district and town, a person who says ‘I can do this job.’ I do not know what will happen after us, whether technology will take over, but this is done with manual labor, it cannot be done without your hands.”

Source: Newsroom & AA