Anatolian Chaldeans return to village on slopes of Mount Cudi after 35 years

After decades of displacement, Chaldeans who once fled their ancestral village in southeastern Türkiye are returning to rebuild their lives and preserve their cultural heritage.

In the 1990s, Aksu village, nestled in the foothills of Mount Cudi in Sirnak’s Silopi district, was abandoned because of regional instability. Home to Chaldeans, who are Catholic Syriacs, the village saw its residents scatter across Türkiye and Europe. Among them was 70-year-old Petrus Karatay, who first moved to Istanbul before eventually settling in France.

Though he built a new life abroad with his six children, Karatay never stopped longing for the land where he was born and raised.

‘Returning was my mission’

Following the restoration of peace in the region, Karatay applied to the Ministry of Interior’s “Return to Village and Rehabilitation Project” in 2009. Two years later, in 2011, he returned to Aksu with a mission: to rebuild a better version of his childhood village.

Rather than resettling in the exact location, Karatay built a three-story house about a kilometer away, creating a new living area for his family. In a bold move to revive Aksu, he planted around 7,000 saplings, including pistachio, walnut, olive, grape, almond, apricot, and plum trees. He also invested in infrastructure, lobbying for road access, water, and electricity.

His initiative became a beacon for the Chaldean diaspora. Inspired by his determination, seven more families began constructing homes in the village, and five others have committed to returning.

‘We want to build a village with high living standards’

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Karatay explained the philosophy behind his ambitious project: “I want to bring what I saw and learned in Europe to this land. I have worked tirelessly since 2009. I built my house, brought water and roads, and greened the area. Rebuilding this village became my mission.”

Karatay’s vision extends beyond simple restoration. His orchards now thrive with thousands of fruit trees, and he’s also engaged in beekeeping and small-scale agriculture. “We produce enough vegetables and fruits for ourselves. The air and water here are incredibly pure,” he said.

A rural life by choice

Now 70, Karatay spends nine months of the year in Aksu, returning to France only in the harshest winter months. “I can’t work like I used to, but I hire laborers. Many people visit us in the summer, and they all love the village,” he said.

Having lived in both Istanbul and Paris, Karatay made a conscious choice: “I prefer village life. I will do whatever it takes to keep this village alive.”

As part of plans, Karatay hopes to construct a church and establish a workshop for shal shepik fabric—traditional garments unique to the region. “This fabric used to be made in our village. We want to revive that cultural heritage,” he added.

He also emphasized the village’s potential for agriculture, animal husbandry, and beekeeping. “Let me finish rebuilding this village, then I’ll have fulfilled my dream. I’ve made my decision—this is where I will complete my life. I will do my best to create an environment that encourages others to return.”

‘I would plant fruit trees to the top of Cudi’

Mount Cudi, once associated with conflict, is now a symbol of peace and resilience. According to Karatay, everything except citrus fruits can now grow in the region.

“If I had the chance, I would plant fruit trees all the way to the top of Cudi,” he said, adding: “And I will keep planting saplings on this land for as long as I can.”