The largest underground city in Turkey is the Derinkuyu Underground City, located in the Cappadocia region. It has 18 levels carved into volcanic rock and could house over 20,000 people. It has places for storage and livestock. It has ventilation and natural openings for sunlight and air. It was believed to have been built around 700 BCE.
This is not the only underground or secret city. They are everywhere and are created for a variety of reasons. I imagine the need for survival and hiding from the enemy would be the foremost reason. Other reasons might include preservation of a lifestyle that would otherwise die out. Hiding and protecting treasures might raise a need for a secret place few know about.
I think that Building Belonging can be one of those things we do to protect a lifestyle of beliefs and practices. When we build belonging we seek a community of souls that matter to us – we want to be a part of the whole. We want to shelter within the community and grow from it. We are comfortable with like minded folks. Building a community might also include protecting lifestyles different from ours but important just the same.
I am reminded of the song we have sung about the circle by Mark Miller.
“Draw the circle
Draw the circle wide
Draw the circle
Draw the circle wide
No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by side….
Draw the circle
Draw the circle wide”
~Lydia Patrick
