New VR Exhibition
10 Oct – 20 Nov 2022
The Last Nomads : Sarıkecililer
Thousand years ago they took the road from steppes 
of Middle Asia
With their nomadic tents,camels and goats.
They fought...They died...They were born... 
And they brought their tradition, their culture to Anatolia

SARIKECİLİLER
Sarıkeçililer took the road from Middle Asia steppes with their camels, goats, and tents 1000 years ago. They arrived in Anatolia after years of migration.
Nomads dispersed to many parts of Anatolia; those who had black goats Karakecili" settled in Mesopotamia. Others with yellow goats "Sarikecililer", chose Middle Toros Mountains to survive and they have been living there by their tradition for hundreds of years.
They survive in highest parts of Toros in summer and in mountainous areas close the sea in winter. Their animals are the only source of their living.
However, rapid urbanization has made their lives more difficult, and they have stopped their migration step by step. The unique nomads of Anatolia “Sarikecililer”, who have been living in nature for centuries by the influence of Shamanic traditions and who have internalized sanctity of nature and never acquired property, have started to settle in recent years due to rapid disappearance of pasture areas and rising costs of animal husbandry. Today, the numbers of Sarıkeçili families living in Toros mountains are on the fingers of one hand.
I have witnessed this transformation of their life as a journalist who has followed their migration and photographed them in 1987 for the first time.  
Over years, I have wanted to make their voice heard and contribute to the survival of their traditions through the projects I carried out with Sarıkeçililer. Besides, I worked for their migration to be declared "Living Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO.
My project "Sarıkeçililer Migration to A World of No Tomorrows " earned second place in National Geographic International Photography Story Competition. It was exhibited in many countries and became source for several studies.
I present some of my photography of this project.

The Last Nomads: Sarikecililer