Syrians Restore Mud Homes Near Qamishli as Cold and Costs Bite

Residents of the countryside around Qamishli are reviving the practice of repairing mud homes before winter, as rising construction and fuel costs make preparing for the cold more difficult.

The return to earthen housing repairs reflects the pressure on households seeking to maintain their homes without taking on the expense of new construction. With fuel also becoming costlier, getting existing homes ready for winter has taken on added importance.

Yet the revival comes as a tradition once closely linked to the work is fading. Known as “fazaa,” the custom brought neighbors together to help one another with demanding tasks, including home repairs.

Changing living conditions and the migration of young people have weakened that collective effort. Residents are returning to a familiar way of maintaining their homes, but with less of the communal support that traditionally helped sustain it.