Historical Development

Tillo District gained district status on 18 May 1990, with law number 3647. Tillo, meaning “High Spirits” in Syriac, entered Ottoman rule in 1514 after Yavuz Sultan Selim’s Çaldıran Campaign. Tillo, which was a sub-district of Siirt Province in the early years of the Republic, was later upgraded from sub-district status to a district and for a period took the name Aydınlar. This name reflects the importance given to science and wisdom in the district and points to the existence of an enlightened community living in the region. Tillo is culturally noteworthy because scholars and mystics such as İsmail Fakirullah and İbrahim Hakkı lived here. İbrahim Hakkı states in his work “Marifetname” that Mevlana Molla Ali, the ancestor of his teacher İsmail Fakirullah, made Tillo his home in 1504, fleeing persecution from Cizre, and worked as an imam-hatip and lecturer here. This duty was later continued by İsmail Fakirullah.

Geographical Situation

Tillo District is located between 42nd longitude and 38th latitude degrees and is 7 kilometers away from Siirt. It is surrounded by Pervari to its east, Şirvan to its northeast, and Siirt Province to its west. The district's climate has continental characteristics; summers are dry and hot, while winters are cold and rainy. The Botan River flows in a winding manner from the east of the district, which is surrounded by slightly rugged mountains. Tillo's soil, which is rugged in terms of landforms, is calcareous and its arable land is limited. The vegetation is covered with steppes; dwarf and shrubby woodlands are common. Although its forest presence is not rich, oak, pistachio, bıttım, pear, almond trees, and vineyards are found. In the district, which is not rich in water resources, old cisterns and wells are abundant, but these waters are generally not used as they are calcareous and salty. Flat areas such as plains and plateaus do not exist in the district.

Economic Situation

Tillo's economy is primarily based on agriculture and animal husbandry, but the economic structure is quite weak. Apart from a few markets and tea houses in the district center, there is no significant commercial activity. Its proximity to Siirt has been a factor negatively affecting the district's development. A large part of the population has migrated, and this migration process continues. The public generally earns their living through agriculture and animal husbandry; pistachio, grape, and bıttım are cultivated depending on land conditions. Although there are those engaged in beekeeping, the number of beehives is quite low. In contrast, the district has significant potential for tourism. The tombs of renowned figures such as İsmail Fakirullah Hz. and İbrahim Hakkı Hz. attract a large number of visitors, both local people and those from outside.

Pistachio Cultivation

Pistachio is one of the important agricultural products of Southeastern Anatolia. Siirt Pistachio, widely cultivated in Tillo, stands out with its larger size than Antep Pistachio and is capable of competing with Antep and Iranian pistachios. Due to its drought resistance and low maintenance requirements, pistachio production is quite popular in the district. Production is carried out by grafting wild pistachio trees known as “bıttım” in the region or by planting saplings grown in nurseries. Pistachio orchards in Siirt are especially concentrated in Tillo, and the pistachios produced here are marketed nationwide.

Cultural Situation

Tillo's culture reflects a unique combination of ideas, works of art, and traditions that form a society's spiritual existence and unity of thought. The traditions, customs, and fine arts of the civilizations that dominated the region have shaped this culture and integrated its essence with a religious worldview. The district has a rich history in education and culture. The abundance of tombs and places of visitation attracts the interest of both local people and visitors from different regions. Additionally, there is a special museum exhibiting the works and belongings used by İsmail Fakirullah Hz. and İbrahim Hakkı. İbrahim Hakkı describes Tillo in “Marifetname” as a place where Mevlana Molla Ali settled in 1504, with beautiful lime-built buildings, clean air, and abundant vineyards and trees. During this period, it is stated that Tillo had 200 houses, a few shops, a caravanserai, a public bath, three small mosques, and one Friday mosque.