The Tradition of ocaklık in Niğde

The "ocaks" (hearths) in Turkish culture, which hold an important place, have become symbols of both cultural preservation and transmission, in addition to their role in healing. Fire, one of the four essential elements (Anasır-ı Erba), and the hearth culture that developed around it were considered sacred by the Turks, giving rise to various beliefs and practices around it. The respect shown to the Kamlars before the acceptance of Islam shifted towards the hearths and those who tended them after the adoption of Islam. The origin of the hearth tradition being traced back to Hz. Fatima has also given it a religious identity. It is possible to find these hearths in every corner of the Anatolian geography. Niğde is also a region rich in hearths. We can demonstrate the richness of Niğde's cultural environment by pointing to its history as a host to various civilizations. In the context of the reflections of this cultural environment on the hearth culture, 85 hearths identified through fieldwork in Niğde and its surroundings have been included in the study. In this thesis, performance execution methods, guided interview methods, observation, and interview techniques have been employed. Before going to the field, preliminary studies were conducted with key informants, and many hearths were identified. During the field research, several new hearths were also discovered. A total of 85 hearths were identified across Niğde, and the most common hearths are those related to terme and sigil. Among these 85 hearths, there are 34 hearths dedicated to treating different diseases. A single hearth may treat more than one disease. For example, the healer of the Infertility Hearth is also seen to treat the terme disease. It has been observed that the spirit of the hearth, which is maintained as a tradition, and the healing practices associated with it, have preserved their functionality without being overshadowed by time and modern medicine. Efforts have also been made to bring to light the traces of the ancient Turkish belief system in these practices.