Waltoo: Assyrian Villages of Upper Tyari - Heritage & Today in Hakkari

This video offers a window into the Assyrian heritage of Waltoo—a cluster of historical villages in Upper Tyari, nestled in today’s rugged terrain of Hakkâri, Turkey. Captured by Qasha Aprem Alkhori during his visit to Waltoo, these videos reveal the present-day landscapes and ruins—echoes of vibrant communities that once stood here. Huge thanks and credit are due to him for preserving this visual record.

The description opens with a contextual introduction to the Assyrian Tribe of Upper Tyari, and how its constituent clans once lived in distinct villages across the Waltoo Valley, before coming together in exile. While the video does not cover past tragedies, this background provides historical grounding for the viewer.

The narrative then transitions seamlessly into the camera’s present-day gaze—stone churches in decay, abandoned village structures, and the wild landscape now quietly holding their memory. These videos invite the viewer on an evocative journey through place, heritage, and resilience.

The descendants of Waltoo mostly live in the diaspora now—in countries such as Australia, the United States, Germany, Canada, and across Europe. Only a small number still reside in Tell Nasri (Waltoo), in the Khabour Valley of northeastern Syria . Despite the physical separation, the name “Waltoo” continues to serve as a living link for people in exile, a symbol of enduring identity and shared origins.

By focusing on the landscapes of today, the video emphasises cultural continuity over loss. It shows how community and memory travel, especially when geography changes but names remain. You see not just ruins—but remembrance, and a symbol of identity preserved through time.

Have you visited Waltoo or Tell Nasri, or know family stories associated with these places? Please share them—your contributions help keep the memory alive.

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