Telkari: Telkari, one of the traditional handicrafts indigenous to Mardin and Midyat, is a decorative art where silver or gold wire is placed inside the holes on the wood and using marquetry. Silver or gold wire is crafted elegantly and turned into knickknacks and jewellery.
Kilden: The copper bag, that Mardin women use to put their bath equipments like soap, washing glove while going to Turkish Bath, is called “Kilden”. Kilden culture is still kept alive in Mardius Historical Villa.
Kam’ or: In Mardin when the weather starts to get warmer rich families used to go to country cottages and gardens of their own. The name, Kam’or, comes from those picnic areas.
Mırra: Mırra is an infused bitter coffee indigenous to Mardin and drank with non-handled cups. It is usually served on happy or sad days. (Weddings and funerals)
After Mırra is finished, the cup is turned down on the table or returned to who served it. But if absently the cup is put on the table without having turned down, then the cup should be filled with gold as a penalty.
As the stories tell, a group of friends go to one of their friends’ house to drink coffee. Their purpose is, coming out of this tradition, to financially support their friend whom they know need it. So they put every coffee cup without having turned down and fill each cup with gold.
Abbara: The narrow archways, that are under Mardin houses and connect the streets, are called Abbara. They had come up when house owners devoted bases of their houses, so archways could be built, to ease the lives and transportation of city people.
Door Handles: In Mardin houses doors have dual handles and handles differ from each other in terms of shape and sound. Ladies knock the handles with high voice and the mistress opens the door accordingly. Gentlemen knock the handles with low voice and this time man of the house welcomes the guests.
Dove: Tumbler doves of Mardin are very famous. They are taken care of and protected by the public. Nowadays, still so many people accept the doves as a lifestyle and they are important parts of their lives.
Almond Toffee: hese candies, unique to Mardin’s gastro-identity, have a special cooking method. Especially the “Slim Ghost” type attracts attention. The blue color on the almond toffee comes from root of Lahor tree. This blue extract of Lahor tree’s root used to be spreaded on babies’ mouths too, to prevent wounds.
Şahmeran (Basilisk): A creature whose below-belt body is a snake and upper-body is a woman. It has horns on the head, feet like snake heads and its tail is also snake-headed. It heals patients and is a symbol of light, fertility, femininity and wisdom. It is the most common figure used on copper.
Throne: Throne is one of the most important cultural values indigenous to Mardin. In spring, when the weather starts to get warmer throne preparations start, too. After being carefully overhauled, thrones are set-up on the roofs of stone villas close to summer. Villa people tell stories each other on throne, looking to the fabulous sky, and sleep there under a netting.
Liqurish Sherbet (Süs):Liqurish, which via its sherbet refreshes Mardin streets and has a natural flavour, is the national drink of Mardin people during Ramadan. As it makes one not to feel the thirst, it is so common for sahur meals. Liqurish is also a famous root syrup, which helps pass kidney stones. Nowadays it is still possible on Mardin streets to come across sherbet sellers, in their traditional clothes.
Kite: There is no child in Mardin without a kite. Kites with different colours and fabric glamourize the sky, from the streets of Mardin, as the weather starts to get warmer.
Historical Asses: Staffed asses are still being used for cleaning of narrow and laddered streets. Asses, accompanying employees who clean the streets early in the morning, are essential for cleaning the streets and collecting the garbages.