Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
MILLI FOLKLOR, cilt.2017, sa.114, ss.52-65, 2017 (AHCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
This study includes the evaluation of the Hidirellez tradition in terms of culture -environment relations over the practices of Mehmetalan village, Edremit district of the province of Balikesir. People who live in specific regions of the world since ancient times assign special significance to the season in which winter and difficult days come to an end and summer and its promise of fertile days begin and establish various ceremonies in their faith systems to mark that transition. These seasonal transitions are particularly important for agricultural societies, who usually mark the day of transition as "a special day" on their local calendars. The widely followed tradition of Hidirellez is also a reflection, in local Anatolian calendars, of this transformation in the nature. And it was placed in the current belief system of each period and transferred today. In folk calendars, Hidirellez marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer, and is celebrated on May 6 according to the Gregorian calendar. In this respect it contains "traditional environmental knowledge". In the Anatolian geography where the summers are hot and arid, the winters are cold and snowy, Hidirellez means the end of difficult conditions and the hope of new season. For this reason, it is celebrated with various practices. Hidirellez celebrations in Anatolia are occasions for voicing hopes of good health and happiness in the new year, and festivities around that theme. These festivities, in which people integrate with nature, are surrounded by natural elements suck as water, greenery and fire, and have traces of ancient Turkish beliefs. Tahtaci Turkmens of Mehmetalan Village, Edremit district of the province of Balikesir, also celebtate Hidirellez. However, their celebration lasts for three days and on days two and three, they visit tombs and graves, which is a practice closely related to the cult of ancestors. When the Hidirellez celebrations in Mehmetelan are evaluated together with the knowledge, practices and beliefs they also offer clues, among other things, on the relationship Tahtaci Turkmens have with nature. In order the uncover it Hidirellez tradition has been evaluated in terms of ecological point of view in the example of Mehmetalan willage. The data of this study was obtained from field work which is conducted in Mehmetalan village, Edremit district of the province of Balikesir during the Hidirellez time of 2014. With this study, it is aimed to provide solutions to the environmental problems arising from the life style of today and to increase the awareness of people of their relationship with nature.