Kurdshop - Khalat stones are stones that were mined at Mount Nemrud in the Khalat area of Badlis province in North Kurdistan and have a characteristic called ignimbrite (a stone that turned into stone after volcanic eruptions and dust flows). It is a magmatic rock. This stone, which is abundant in the area, is soft and resistant and can be easily worked on. It means it is strong and durable and can be carved, and therefore has been used in the construction of many buildings and historical objects. (There are two Nemrud mountains in North Kurdistan, one in Samsur, but the other Nemrud is in Badlis province of North Kurdistan and the two mountains are often mistakenly confused.)
What is a Khalat stone and what does it look like?
Khalat stones are available in the area where they are mined in red, black, grey, and brown, four colors, and some darker and lighter colors. The stone contains glass, which makes it stronger.
The Khalat Rock is a magmatic (volcanic) rock found on the slopes of Nemrud Volcanic Mountain in the city of Khalat. As a result of volcanic eruptions, excess pressure, and gas are left behind. The Khalat stone is extracted from a site that came to the surface after a volcanic eruption on Mount Nemrud in the Badlis region and then cooled. There are fire pits and Pyroclastic rocks around the area. (Pyroclastic: After a volcanic eruption, the dust, volcanic material, and very thick gases that flow downwards are called Pyroclastic.)
The Khalat stone is very useful. When animals bite humans can be used as medicine for the wound. It also strengthens the heart and keeps it healthy. Khalat stones are available in light brown, black, red, gray, or dark brown, so they can be used for exterior wall decoration and any kind of design. The most important characteristic of the Khalat stone is that because it is a soft stone, it can be carved with shapes and patterns and is suitable for carving.
Characteristics of Khalat stones
The Khalat stone has a cavity in it that prevents water absorption. It also prevents the transfer of heat in summer and cold in winter.
The culture of making Khalat stones, which is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and should be protected, continues today thanks to the workers and experts.
Khalat stone, which is hardly extracted from the ground, cut with great skill, and then carved and decorated by experienced craftsmen, keeps buildings warm in winter and cool in summer.
The stones are dug out of the ground with chisels, patches, and shovels, cut into pieces in factories, and then decorated by people skilled in the trade.
Khairaddin Bajarikli, 48, is a craftsman who started making stones 10 years ago and carving shapes and designs on the stones.
“Khalat stones are used everywhere in the country and are shipped to many foreign countries,” says this master stone maker and carver.
Khairaddin explained that they draw small pictures on the stones and some are finished in half an hour, but some take continuous work for a day. “Whatever pattern suits the stone, we carve it. We also make barbecues and fireplaces from Khalat stones stone. We also make gravestones and these stones are used to build houses too. We draw designs on them and shape and design the stones. We do it on the rocks that come here from the quarries.”
Becerikli said; "A historic building is being renovated in Germany. We have sent Khalat stones to that building. We are sending stones to the whole of Turkey. 10 years ago, I came to this factory and met my friends, I used to come to this factory and visit my friends and look at their work. That is why I got interested in this business and started it. I learned about this business with passion and I love my work. I have 5 children and I earn my living from this work. I was very happy that The tradition of the stonework was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. I thank those who played a role in this. We were very happy because this craft should not be forgotten and disappear. We will do what we can to save it.”
