Thoughts on the Ethnography of the Region with a Focus on Herbol Village in Şirnak

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the transformation of a Syriac village (Herbol ~ Aksu) located in the southeast of Mount Cudi through remote sensing and ethnographic observations. The topic will be examined within the framework of regional ethnographic studies and evaluated in light of historical developments and current approaches. The importance of the historical and cultural heritage of ethnic communities in Şırnak from a regional ethnographic perspective has been explored. The process of abandonment and disappearance in these villages has occurred due to various factors, including migration, economic challenges, demographic changes, and political influences.

However, the process of reestablishing these villages is also noteworthy. Efforts for reconstruction are important in terms of preserving cultural identity, strengthening social structure, and remembering the past. In this process, the efforts of the local community, combined with national and international support, have contributed to the revival of the villages. This study will examine the processes of disappearance and reestablishment of the Syriac village in Şırnak, analyzing them from ethnographic and ethnohistorical perspectives. This analysis will contribute to regional ethnographic studies by providing a new perspective and will help evaluate similar situations in other communities.