Monograph of Yusufeli, Artvin

This monographic study was prepared to cover the district center of Yusufeli in Artvin, along with several surrounding villages. The work consists of five main sections and provides a comprehensive examination of the region's socio-cultural structure and historical development. In the first section, the general characteristics, historical periods, and cultural heritage of Yusufeli district are discussed in detail. The second section focuses on settlement problems in the region, with particular attention given to the process of forced migration. The third section evaluates major life transitions such as birth, marriage, and death, along with common folk beliefs associated with these stages. The fourth section presents information gathered from local sources on Yusufeli's culinary culture, folk medicine, children's games, and traditional folk dances. In the fifth section, anonymous folk literature products are examined in detail, including poetic, mixed prose-poetry, and purely prose forms specific to the region. This section also highlights local folk poetry and cultural values derived from oral sources. It has been observed that the unique cultural texture of Yusufeli, shaped by the blending of ancient beliefs with Islamic traditions over time, is clearly reflected in the region's living customs and beliefs. In conclusion, the cultural structure of Yusufeli emerges as a dynamic whole that carries the traces of the past while reflecting the contemporary social fabric.