Folk beliefs and folk medicine around Adıyaman

Mankind has been faced with the fear of diseases and death since the day he was born. He used different methods and tools to solve these problems. Some of these methods are religious and magical, while others have been in the form of using herbal, animal or mineral medicines. Adıyaman has a rich historical and cultural background. In this cultural richness, "Dermanê Kurmancî" (Kurd folk medicine) and "ocak" (folk healer of a specific illness) culture have an important place. However, the number of large-scale scientific studies in this area is very limited. The purpose of this study is to save the rich cultural accumulation in this area and to save it from extinction, to treat it scientifically and to bring it to the attention of researchers. A literature review was conducted on the subject and a face-to-face interview with 163 people was conducted with the snowball method. The interviews were recorded and decoded in accordance with the permission of the individuals. In accordance with the suggestions of the interviewees, sacred places such as lakes, water, stones and tombs were visited. Adıyaman Kurdish folk medicine is moving on two axes as medical ems and beliefs. Family chambers and tombs have an important place in the beliefs. The practice of folk medicine begins prenatally and continues until after death. Some of the treatments are done by certain people, while others are based on general knowledge and experience and are implemented by everyone. Plants, animal products and some mines are used in applications. Ocaks employ methods like reading a prayer for healing, blowing, cutting etc. in their treatments. Almost all of the applicants refer themselves as "faithful", who are middle-aged or above-age and as for the education level they are not literate or have "low level" of education. In recent years, due to the developments in the field of health, despite there has been a decrease in the practices of folk medicine, the treatments and practices are continuing in different ways. In cases where it can be called "very simple" or "hopeless case", folk medicine is still being consulted. Keywords Adıyaman, Kurdish Folk Medicine, Disease, Ocak (Folk healer of a specific illness), Treatment With Plants, Tomb, Dermanê Kurmancî