uzak Bilèk

Approximately half an hour far from Gaziantep, rises the village of Bilèk. It has more then three thousand inhabitants, scattered in anonymous brick houses, living with few things, just the necessary. There is a school for the many children living there; all them, the day we went to the village, followed our group showing us their favourite places for playing and the hidden corner where they think there is some beauty. The children were really curious about us, and especially about me, the stranger, and it was clear that their enthusiasm was doubled by this unusual visitor, from a far country. It seemed that in the poor life they live everything could turn into a game, their needs are simple and their desire for human contact huge. There were especially male children, and some female, but of course very shy. Since their childood, the girls learn to be aside, to not be open and to not speak too much with boys and men, especially if strangers. Therefore i can say in Bilèk the patriarchy custom is still strong, and deep interanlized laws rule the village life.

Me and my classmates were free to walk and discover the village, and all the population seemed to be very happy of our interest. We entered in two houses with courtyard where some women were engaged in their work: the preparation of local sweets. There were just women attending every phase of the work, a long and patient work, that give as result very good sweets: the “cevizli sucuk”, some kind of buds with walnuts, and the “pestil”, a sweet sheet useful to making cakes. To make these food they do not use white sugar, but only the sugar from a grape jam, left to heat in large pot. This means the extremly healthy quality of the food, done as centuries ago.
During their work they seemed happy, and also glad of our presence. We tried everykind of just made food and we went away really full. The kindness of this people always surprises me, no matter the language, the cultural difference and different behavior, they will always open their houses for the stranger, they will give what they have, and if they have nothing they will give smiles. It is the kind of solidarity common in cohesive communities, where culture is something that teach without any doubt how to be with guests. There is no fear for the one who brings only curiosity, like an old memory that knows what does it mean to be far from home and, maybe, painful.For this the tradition teaches to help and to host.

As I saw the village has some structural problems: the buildings and the roads require maintenance that lack, there is no safety place for children playing, and they risk everyday to broke their bones on the rocks laying everywhere. I’m not sure about the chance to get a doctor or to go hospital in short time if it is necessary. No police or someone that reminds a governement, somewhere. And also, no work, except the traditional one or few necessary shops.

When we went away the cildren followed the bus for many metres, laughing and screaming. I’m sure, they will wait for us, or for anyone will pass to Bilèk.