Investigation of circassian women's clothing in terms of clothing culture and clothing decoration techniques

The Circassian community was exiled from the Caucasus to Ottoman lands in 1864 as a result of years of wars and pressures by Russia, during which they suffered significant losses. Many left their homes and lands behind, with only their culture and a few belongings, struggling to survive during the migration process. While they tried to preserve their cultural customs and traditions (Khabze) within the community, their existence was increasingly threatened by assimilation due to the political systems, wars, and social changes of the time. The Circassian community was able to adapt to the societies they were exiled to while continuing their struggle for survival and coexisting harmoniously with other communities. The belief systems, customs, and traditions they upheld, which were based on the value of "Respect," remain some of the most defining characteristics that distinguish them from other communities. Circassian women, because of their position in society, were respected by the community and were individuals who had the right to voice their opinions and participate in life, unlike women in many other Eastern societies. The role of women in Circassian culture, both historically and since the days of North Caucasus, has been widely acknowledged by the community. Therefore, the persistence of a community's existence is clearly evidenced by the role of women in that society. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of women in the transmission of Circassian culture, their sociological position within the culture, and the impact of social phenomena on these dynamics, with a particular focus on the preservation and transformation of traditional Circassian women's clothing and accessories over time. Following a literature review, the Circassian woman and her culture were analyzed from a broad perspective. In order to support the research with more accurate data, interviews were conducted with 22 Circassian women, where in addition to sociodemographic questions, 16 questions were asked to understand the characteristics of their culture, their adherence to traditions, knowledge of traditional clothing culture, and their role in society. The interviews were conducted using the snowball sampling method and semi-structured interview techniques. VII In the research findings, it was concluded that the role and function of women in the transmission of culture, especially under Diaspora conditions, are of significant importance. It was determined that women have achieved undeniable success in sustaining the culture, and that the community supports this role. Another conclusion reached in terms of research findings is that the traditional Circassian attire could not be preserved due to migration, wars, and the socio-cultural changes brought about by the modern world, except for noble families who could migrate with their belongings. It was found that, instead, the attire has continued to exist through modernized designs suitable for contemporary use.