Torluk: A tradition burning out

According to archaeological findings, artisanal charcoal production, which dates back to at least 2000 B.C., continues under different names in many regions of Anatolia. In the forests of Catalca, a district of Turkey's largest city Istanbul, a few dozens of charcoal burners carry on the tradition. Oak wood cut from the forest is placed in a circular arrangement called "torluk" to create a high pile. After the pile is covered with dried paddy sticks and moist soil, it is set on fire. Between 9 a.m. and noon, wood is burned underground in a controlled manner. It is then cooled and left to cool. Oak wood is cleaned by removing the hot soil and ash on it, creating charcoal. Depending on the temperature and season, around 7 tons of charcoal can be obtained from an average of 40 tons of wood. This is the only source of income for the villagers who do this painstaking job. Cuttings made under state control are carried out from a different point every year, allowing the forest to re-grow. Producers sell their charcoal to wholesalers and restaurants for approximately $ 50 cents per kilogram. This traditional production method is usually carried out during the summer months. During the coal extraction phase, men working next to the coal pile have to tolerate temperatures that reach 50–60 degrees Celsius on average. Climate change and the economic crisis have a very negative impact on their earnings and production, and the number of people doing this difficult work in the villages is decreasing every year.