Teacher Doğan Karasu visited all 351 villages of Bingöl and wrote the book Çewlig

Sociologist and teacher-writer Doğan Karasu visited Bingöl's 351 villages one by one over eight years, documenting the region's historical, cultural, and social memory. He gathered his accumulated knowledge into a two-volume, 834-page travelogue titled Çewlig.

An eight-year meticulous field study

Sociologist and teacher-writer Doğan Karasu stepped foot in all 351 villages of Bingöl over eight years, recording the material and spiritual values of the city. He generally conducted his fieldwork during the summer months.

Visual and oral history archive

Starting the project after receiving photography training, Karasu documented the traditional architecture, historical structures, and cemeteries of the villages. He largely supported his information with the narratives of the elderly.

Reason for choosing the name Çewlig

The decision to name the 834-page, two-volume travelogue Çewlig was explained as choosing one of the most widely used historical names of the city from past periods.

Inspiration from Ahmet Say's photographs

Ahmet Say's photographs, taken while he was a teacher in Bingöl in the 1960s and shedding light on the city's past, had a major influence on Karasu undertaking this comprehensive work.