Abstract:

Each gravestone actually tells the story of its owner. It gives its message without the need for our attributing any meaning to it. Although the consequence is always the same, these messages have differences. It tells the stories that are fitted in sometimes short and sometimes long lines, past pains, incurable diseases, sudden death at a young age, asking for Allah’s mercy, asking for people’s prayers, intercession of the prophet, that Allah is permanent, the creator and helper, and the social status and profession of the dead person. These rich wordings that are not vouchsafed for any other civilization become concrete with their mass. Body, title, cap styles and decoration emphasize the Ottomanship of the stone. This emphasis has started to be understood even by people who are far from the subject as it has been repeatedly brought to the agenda in public opinion in recent years. Yes, maybe we lost many of the gravestones of our grandfathers/grandmothers, however, the remaining part was sufficient to shed light on the past. This article has been written in order to ensure that the gravestones in Eşme villages provide a beam to this light.

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