The evolution of music performed at henna night ceremonies in Batman province from the past to the present

From past to present, henna night ceremonies held in the Batman region have undergone significant transformations due to technological advancements and social transformations. As the traditional understanding of ceremonies has evolved over time, many rituals within these ceremonies have either disappeared entirely or survived in modified forms. This transformation has profoundly impacted the musical traditions performed at henna nights. Music, which was once part of oral tradition and reflected the identity of the local people, is now often replaced by popular music genres, leading to a gradual shrinkage of the traditional musical repertoire and the risk of oblivion. This transformation is not limited to musical performance; the physical spaces where ceremonies take place, the performers involved in these ceremonies, the types of instruments used, and the form and content of the works performed are also affected by this process. Henna nights, which used to be held in more intimate and traditional settings such as natural settings or village houses, are now frequently organized in modern settings such as wedding halls. Similarly, the music performed live by local people in the past has often been replaced by recorded music with an electronic infrastructure. The use of traditional instruments has decreased, and they have begun to be replaced by more universal and commercial instruments. This rapid and comprehensive transformation plays a decisive role in the gradual forgetting of the musical values unique to the Batman region and the erosion of local musical culture. In this context, a multifaceted approach to the transformation of traditional henna night rituals, and a comprehensive understanding of the extent and form of change, is crucial for the preservation of cultural heritage. This research was conducted to comprehensively examine the cultural and musical transformations that have occurred over time in henna night ceremonies in the Batman region. The study's methodological framework was primarily established through a systematic review of the relevant literature, which included reviewing previous academic studies, archival records, and various written and visual sources. Following the literature review, fieldwork was conducted, including participation in henna night ceremonies, observations, and on-site examination of elements of the ceremonies. Furthermore, one- on-one interviews were conducted with local residents, musicians, ceremony organizers, and elderly individuals living in the area. These interviews were conducted and recorded using a semi-structured interview form, a qualitative data collection technique. Thus, the content of the study was shaped by data obtained from both written and oral sources. The research was conducted using a descriptive method, and data were analyzed using a qualitative research design. The findings obtained through this descriptive approach were systematically evaluated to reveal the current situation and enable comparisons between the past and the present. The study examines the changes and developments that have occurred in henna night ceremonies in the Batman region from past to present in a multidimensional manner. This includes detailed analyses of not only musical performances but also the use of traditional instruments accompanying the music over time, the transformation of the venues where the ceremonies are held, the changing profiles of the performers involved in musical performances, and the place within the repertoire of prominent musical works frequently performed at henna nights. In light of the data obtained, the transformation of henna night musical culture specific to the Batman region, both historically and socioculturally, is explored. Key Words: Batman, Henna night, Henna night music