Mythological elements in beliefs and practices of transition periods: The example of armutlu village (Antalya-Elmalı)

Throughout a person's life, there are stages in which they transition from one state to another. These stages are primarily known as birth, marriage, and death. During these transitions, people perform various rituals to protect themselves and align with their beliefs. In the study, the rituals practiced during the transition periods were compiled from the people living in Armutlu Village, the backgrounds of the data obtained were examined and these data were tried to be interpreted based on Turkish mythology. The fact that the people living in Armutlu Village are nomads supports the preservation of the vitality of the rituals practiced today and the existence of a mythological background. In the introduction section of the study, information about the subject, purpose, scope and method of the research is given. The first chapter provides general information about the research area, Antalya province, Elmalı district and Armutlu Village. In the second chapter, information on transition periods, rituals, mythology and social norms is given. In the third section, information about birth and circumcision, in the fourth section military service, in the fifth section marriage and in the sixth section death transition periods are given and information about the mythological dimensions of the rituals practiced in these periods is tried to be given. In the conclusion, a general evaluation of the study is made. The bibliography is presented under three headings: Written sources section includes the books, articles and theses utilized in the study; electronic sources section includes the sources accessed through digital media; and oral sources section includes the informants interviewed in Armutlu Village. With this study, it is aimed to draw attention to the culture of the nomadic people living in Armutlu Village and the existence of mythological rituals in the transition period practices of the society in order to keep this culture alive.