Höllük

Höllük is a traditional infant care practice that has persisted from the past to the present in Anatolia. Primarily used in central and East Anatolia during winter months, höllük is a material with high absorbency, employed to keep infants warm and protect them from diaper rash and other skin conditions. This earth, primarily due to its clay-like structure, absorbs moisture and eliminates unwanted dampness on the infant’s skin, thereby preserving skin health.

Höllük is a specific type of earth used in Anatolia as an alternative to diapers after birth, providing warmth without irritating the infant’s skin. Although its composition varies according to local conditions where the child is born, it is generally preferred during winter months. The earth carries properties that prevent diaper rash and is collected from specific locations before being heated. It is roasted in a pan until it reaches a certain temperature, then placed inside a swaddling cloth and wrapped around the infant’s body.

In Anatolia, this practice was also used not only for infants but for postpartum women as well. The purpose of the höllük practice is to support healthy infant development and it has become an accepted natural care method within the community place.

It must not be forgotten that this traditional method carries certain health risks. Since höllük earth has a high likelihood of harboring microorganisms, the cleanliness of the earth and whether it has undergone proper thermal treatment are of great importance. Some studies have shown that höllük may lead to unwanted skin infections in infants and that pathogens present in the earth can harm babies.

It has been noted that organisms and microbes living in the earth can cause dangerous infections such as tetanus. Therefore, attention has been drawn to the importance of properly roasting and using the earth. Moreover, with the availability today of modern infant care products offering more hygienic and healthier alternatives, the use of höllük has begun to decline modern.

The höllük practice is not merely an infant care method but also an integral part of Anatolian culture. In many people folk songs, höllük symbolizes the devoted care parents provide for their children. Verses such as “I gathered I gathered höllük I gathered” reflect the place of this tradition in collective memory. Höllük not only fulfills a physical need but also performs a cultural function by strengthening social bonds.