Opium Women

We published this at Fotovision for our friend, Melih Arican, who started a photographic project about the opium business in Turkey, which has been regulated by the state and is one of the world's most amazing success stories. Back in the 1960s, Marseilles was the conduit, but Turkey was the originating source of almost all the illegal heroin flowing into the West. In 1974 it shifted to a licensed system of legal farming and now earns $60 million (all figures U.S.) a year exporting the raw materials that are turned into medical morphine and codeine. 

Melih was stunned by how the opium was grown by the women using very primitive  tools while the men occasionally lend a hand. Then, they also "work in the home as maids, cooks, mothers, wives, gardeners and farmers of animals from very early in the morning to very late in the evenings." They are paid just $3 - $5 a day.

The problem with the legalization of growing opium is that there is no money in it anymore and not worth the time and energy of the men who live there. Once again, women's work is low status and low pay!!!

This is a beautiful book and we are excited to present this work. It is a story we would never hear about if not for Melih's commitment to the women of this area, Afyon, over ten years.

ISBN: 978-0-615-55924-7

Published in January 2012

120 pages, 52 duotone pictures.

Book dimensions 9" x 11"

Laminated softcover, sewn.

$25

To buy a copy of this book in the US, please contact Melanie directly.