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The Kislikli neighborhood in Bitlis sits at 2,317 meters above sea level, making it one of Türkiye’s highest villages. Even as spring breathes life into the lower regions, snow still blankets this remote settlement.
Residents wake up to a frozen landscape every day, where homes, barns, and fields disappear beneath thick layers of white.
Nestled under the towering shadow of Türkiye’s third-highest mountain, Mount Suphan, Kislikli’s 40 households face winters that stretch for months.
Roads vanish under drifts, barns get buried, and feeding livestock becomes a battle against the snow. Every day, villagers confront a world that seems paused under the weight of winter.
Life in Kislikli revolves around snow and survival. Residents spend hours clearing snow from their rooftops, doors, and barns.
They carry hay and grass on their backs across icy fields to feed their animals multiple times a day. Even the simplest chores, like fetching water or preparing food, become monumental tasks under layers of snow and ice.
Villager Vefa Cokyaman describes the village winter:
“We live through something like Antarctic winters. Storms and blizzards last for weeks, and the snow piles higher every day. Even walking to the barn feels like an expedition. Every task requires grit and patience.”
For Omer Cokyaman and other villagers, winter isn’t just cold—it’s relentless.
“Water freezes, snow covers the animal feed, and temperatures drop drastically,” he says. Clearing snow, ensuring animals are fed, and keeping water flowing becomes a full-time battle. In Kışkılı, survival means resilience, sweat, and determination every single day.
Snow drifts cover rooftops, yards, and paths, and days are measured in repeated trips with hay and feed. Life moves slowly, shaped by scraping ice, hauling supplies, and tending animals.
Yet, amid the exhaustion, routines continue, steady and unbroken, marking the rhythm of life at one of Türkiye’s highest villages.
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