An investigation on the cults of Hambat

Abstract

It is observed that the basis of people's atitudes is affected by their beliefs, and their inclinations for belief play an important role especially when confronted with a certain action or condition. Naturally after a period of time, such a psychology prepares a suitable ground for the development of the belief of sacred places and persons. In time, the memorized places and persons become the form of miracle through the circulation of myths. Thus, it becomes a custom to visit these places and persons. These places, due to visitations, are actualized to provide healing or to exorcise the evil forces. The sacred places are believed necessary to be kept under control, and become a center of a cult signifying a total of practices and beliefs. In this study, the sacred personalities, lands, forests and women cults are taken as an object of study. This investigation of people has become a cult where different beliefs and thoughts are a mixture of systems in the process of acculturation. Then sycrenctism is under discussion in this study under the light of social history. Historical background has been built with different social relations and interactions. The following cases were examined in this study: (a) the beliefs and practices of the cult centers of their rules and structures, (b) the social system structures and constructions that produce these structures, (c) the Cult rituals (d) rituals dedicated to the people themselves; (e) Collective ceremonies. This study carries both theoretical and practiced rituals. The practices examined in the study are places known as Hambat plain (in Denizli, between Çardak and Bozkurt boundaires). In the course of this investigation, a total of 30 interviews were conducted and all these interviews were classified. The findings are interpreted by applying theoretical approaches.