CUSTOMS OF ANATOLIA THROUGHOUT THE AGES – MUSA BARAN

kirmizicantaliavukat
Aug 2
8 min read

MY COMMENTS :

The work, written by archaeologist Musa Baran, provides chronological information about the customs and traditions of Anatolia throughout history.

The beginning of the work states that one of the most important reasons for the ancient culture of Anatolia and the presence of Turks in this region stems from our traditions in Central Asia. It also notes that, as Turks, we adapted to these lands quite quickly due to the similarities between many Anatolian traditions.

Despite having hosted societies with diverse civilizations and religious views, Anatolian people have been noted to still live in close fidelity to their ancient traditions. The author also discussed the artifacts and cultural exchanges left by Anatolian civilizations, stating that this has further enhanced the development of that culture.

The author, who stated that many famous people in world history grew up in Anatolian lands, stated that in addition to Yunus Emre, Köroğlu, and in our recent history, famous Turkish poets and thinkers such as Aşık Veysel, even St. Nicholas of Patara, known as Santa Claus, grew up in these lands.

The author also discussed in detail the importance attributed to women and land in Anatolia, particularly through significant historical artifacts, demonstrating how women and land are integrated in accordance with their nature. He explained that the Earth Mother Statuette at Çatalhöyük, along with the nurturing portrait of the mother figure made of soil and clay, was interpreted as a symbol of humans being nourished by the earth and ultimately returning to it.

As is well known, mother and earth have always remained sacred concepts in Anatolia from past to present. Land, both the source of life and a symbol of independence, continues to be identified with the life-giving mother today.

As can be seen, while the work covers Anatolian culture from the past to the present, it should be noted that it is not very informative in terms of its knowledge base, as it does not cover many unknown topics, particularly those related to prehistory and ancient times. Furthermore, the author's occasional mention of political views on the history of the Republic and the Ottoman Empire, especially towards the end of the work, is a significant indicator that the book strays from its subject matter. Beyond the aforementioned points, it should be noted that it contains important information about recent historical periods.

In conclusion, the work should be considered as one of the important research books that deserve to be carefully studied and notes taken from beginning to end.

MY QUOTES(*) :

The people of Anatolia are devoted to their traditions. They are steadfast in their beliefs. However, when they find something better or more beneficial, they rush to innovate. They are not bigoted, but rational and modest. They are quick-witted, avoid nitpicking, and like to get the job done.
“ You have a smokeless chimney. - You have a faithless teacher. - What good is it to waste your life in the mosque ?”
The oxen cart is a very similar two-wheeled cart pulled by a pair of oxen, having been around since the invention of the wheel, around 3000 BC. The oldest example was found in Southeastern Anatolia and is now in a private collection in Basel, Switzerland.
As soon as the Turks realized that their previous customs were compatible with the customs they encountered in Anatolia, they immediately Anatolianized. Sabahattin Eyuboğlu says, " Anatolia is ours not because we conquered it, but because it is ours ."
The tradesman who makes the first round of bread in the morning takes the money from the ground, the farmer who sows the seeds prays, “ One from me, a thousand from you. Come on, black soil, the soil to which I am sacrificed ,” Yunus Emre’s words, “ I saw my moon on the ground, - Mercy rains down on me from the ground ,” and the conclusion of Aşık Veysel’s words, “ If you seek the truth, there is a clear point – God is close to the servant, and the servant to God – The hidden treasure of truth is in the soil – My faithful lover is the black soil .”
The House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is considered sacred by Muslims, just as it is by Christians today. In fact, it was sacred even before Christianity, as the Ortygia Grove. The Ephesians believed that Artemis and Apollo were born there.
There's been constant debate about the origin of the Karagöz play and who created it. Hittite reliefs, especially the great god figure on the Boğazköy Yazılı Kaya (Inscribed Rock), are believed to be Karagöz himself. His hat, arm, and hand are identical to Karagöz's. So are his shoes. I doubt such a close resemblance is a coincidence.
Right at the beginning of the Orkhon Inscriptions, it's said, " When the sky was created above, the dark earth below, the son of the person was created between the two ." H. Ziya Ülken then explains that "in Bektashi tradition, the relationship between earth and sky is expressed in Makalatı Erbain with the expression, ' My mother is the earth, my father is the sky .' This expression, and indeed the belief, 'My father is the sky, my mother is the earth,' was also present among Native Americans. But what's truly interesting is that the Sun Goddess of Erinna, the city of Anatolia before the Hittites, or the Great God Teshup among the Hittites, was the God of the Sky."
A Swiss friend who was conducting research among the Yoruks in the Taurus Mountains said to me, "Musa, I'm surprised. There's a similarity between the Yoruks here and the Yoruks (Nomads) living in our Alps." These similarities stem from their living conditions.
The Mother Goddess, or Mother Earth, figurine found at Çatalhöyük and displayed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is sculpted in a purely maternal image, with full breasts and wide hips. She is holding her breasts with her hands, sitting on her right side with her legs bent at the knees, half-left back.
Around 600 BC, money was invented, boosting industry and playing a crucial role in overseas trade. The discovery of lime in the 1st century BC facilitated construction and paved the way for the richness of Roman construction.
Hittite temples generally exhibit a non-symmetrical layout, vertical moldings, and internal openings that are closed to the outside. The cult center, the House of God, which constitutes the core, does not face the main entrance. These features are also seen at Anıtkabir. From the main entrance, one proceeds along the lion path. Then, one arrives at the inner courtyard, and walking left leads only to the tomb monument. The situation is more or less similar in Hittite temples.
The Gallipoli Wars and freedom wars today are what the Trojan Wars were to the world. All of them were defenses of the Anatolian peoples against the attacks of Western imperialists and the Greeks. Indeed, Homer lists the Anatolian peoples who defended themselves against the Greeks in his Iliad.
The rational approach to life that came to the East with Alexander the Great demonstrated its most effective validity in Turkmenistan. Farabi (870-950), Ibn Sina (980-1037), Biruni (973-1048), Omar Khayyam (1044-1136), and many other Khorasan warriors chose the rational path.
Farabi said, " A person should first investigate and know himself, then others and the world. Above all, a person should be moderate ."
The Rumi Calendar is far more consistent with nature than the Julian Calendar we use in Western cultures. Furthermore, unlike the Hijri Calendar, it doesn't allow for any gaps. The year begins with spring on the 14th of March, and as the weeks and months pass, the solstices come and go, so the year ends on March 13th, 13 days behind the Julian Calendar. The Rumi Calendar awakens with a new spring.
It is much more important that thinkers such as St. Nicholas of Patara, who lived in the 5th century AD, or Santa Claus, Gregory of Nysa of Nazianzus, and Basil of Caesarea warned the public from a religious perspective.
Nicholas of Patara spent almost his entire life as a clergyman at the eponymous Nicholas Church in Myra. Throughout his life, he preached generously, offering his teachings to the public. Above all, he fulfilled and perpetuated his universal love of children with gifts befitting them. Bringing joy to children is at the core of the Anatolian people.
During the Byzantine era, particularly in the 6th century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, numerous churches were built. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is undoubtedly the most prominent among these. Great temples and basilicas also emerged in cities where these churches existed. The churches of Pergamon, Smyrna, Sardis, Philedelphia, Ephesus, Laodicea, and Tyateira were among the most famous.
Language is slippery; it goes where you pull it. For example, "pimp" means "guide, guide." Yet, unfortunately, we use it as a swear word, as a womanizer. Yunus Emre also called "dick" the useful and the convenient. Yet, we've created an unspeakable name from this beautiful word.
The Oghuz Turks constitute the majority of the Anatolian Turks and have remained loyal to their customs and traditions since Central Asia and have adapted to Anatolia.
Regarding marriage, the people of Anatolia, since the Hittites and Central Asia, have considered it a tradition and even made it a law to marry only one woman.
Anatolian women's clothing generally consists of a snow-white headscarf (yağlık), a small jacket-like pocket or a shalwar (workwear), and a shalwar (shalwar). Occasionally, or during holidays, some wear three skirts on the road. Especially during holidays, Anatolian women adorn themselves with colorful, rosy colors. Some also shy away from the colorful crepe on their heads. The colors of the cheki (headscarves unique to Anatolian women) speak volumes, revealing the woman's status. The black cheki signifies mourning, and is tied by elderly women and widows whose husbands have died. The yellow cheki is often seen on the heads of children and signifies lovers or betrothed. The red cheki is tied by women who have had sons and have also achieved their dreams. Purple and blue chekis represent happiness. When red, green, and purple come together, or more accurately, when the seven colors of the rainbow come together, nature and a woman with a full moon face are seen.
The Yoruks have a trinity. They say, " If you're a merchant, start with less; if you're a farmer, work your field threefold; if you're a mulcher, a Yoruk, winter on the coast ."

MY EVALUATIONS:

Subject : The work provides chronological information about the customs and traditions of Anatolia throughout history.

Style: While the author gives the impression that the work is compiled chronologically according to historical eras, the subsequent work can sometimes create a sense of disorganization and repetition. Furthermore, the style of the work is simple and clear. Therefore, the intended information is conveyed to the reader clearly and concisely.

Originality : The work will not be evaluated in this category due to its nature.

Character : The work will not be evaluated in this category due to its nature.

Fluency : Considering the issues raised in the style section, it must be stated that the work has some shortcomings in terms of fluidity, as some sections become repetitive and give the impression of a lack of cohesion. Furthermore, in terms of immersion, it is clear that, given the genre of the book, it is unlikely to be expected to be engaging.

General : In the evaluation made out of 10 in accordance with the criteria stated above:

Subject: 8.5

Style: 7

Fluency: 6

The overall average score for the work, which received 1.5 points, is 7.1 . Considering its genre, the work should be considered among works that require examination and reflection, as it has passed the 7 threshold and contains historically important information.

(*) : All sections under the title My Quotations:

CUSTOMS OF ANATOLIA THROUGHOUT THE AGES

Author : Musa Baran

Publisher : Bademler Village Culture, Art and Education Foundation

Edition : 1st Edition – July 2023

The photo used on the cover was used as a quote from the book.

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