FOLK MEDICINE AND THE OCAK TRADITION IN ANATOLIA: AN EVALUATION THROUGH THE CASE OF KAHRAMANKAZAN

10.52773/tsuull.conf.2026.23.05/FJQC8976

Аннотация

Kahramankazan district of Ankara and its surroundings have hosted various
civilizations throughout history and, accordingly, have developed a rich cultural heritage. One of
the significant elements of this heritage is the ocak belief, which can be considered a traditional
healing practice within the framework of folk medicine. This study examines the role, function,
and current state of the ocak belief in Kahramankazan within the context of folk medicine.
The ocak system is generally a tradition transmitted from generation to generation through
a ritual known as “handing down” Within this system, individuals believed to be competent in
treating certain illnesses hold a socially recognized authority. In the past, limited transportation
opportunities and difficulties in accessing modern medical facilities led people to turn to such
traditional healing practices. At the same time, these belief-based practices are closely related to
the cultural values and worldview of the Anatolian people. However, it is observed that this
tradition is on the verge of disappearance, particularly due to the decline of its bearer generations.
In earlier periods, the inability of people to quickly access urban centers and hospitals, combined
with their strong belief in the healing power of ocak practitioners, contributed to the formation of
trust in folk medicine. Today, although the ocak belief has largely lost its former function due to
the widespread use of modern medicine and ongoing social transformations, it still continues to
exist in some villages of Kahramankazan.
This study aims to document the ocak tradition known in the region. In this context, written
and digital sources will be reviewed, and field research will be conducted