Folk culture of Pinarbaşi district in Kayseri̇ province

Pinarbasi that placed in Central Anatolia is one of the important county of Kayseri with its history, geographical and cultural structure. It is a geography that includes Turkish culture and Turkic tribes. The region is on Silkroad's way. So it is effective for having sociocultural and tangible wealth. In this study, it is took the scope of research; peoples' historical structure, beliefs and cultures of Avsar, circassian, immigrant, Karachay, kurd, refugee and Turkmen who live in Kayseri, Pinarbasi. And also transitional birth, marriage, death; beliefs, ceremonies and celebratings, childeren plays, handicrafts, folk dress, folk cuisine and folk medicine are included the study. Document and presenting the features of living culture in county matters for hand down the next generations. On the other hand there is not enough study in this field. It is decisive for choosing research subject. For this reason, about cultures that lives in Pinarbasi, it is intended to give literature collected informations in terms of folklore. In the study traditions, customs and practices; informations and documentations obtained from written and oral sources are exemplified in terms of regions. In the scope of research, in addition to interview and onsite observation methods, visual sources are supported with photo documentation and survey research of literature. According to research results, in 7 different cultural traditions that lives in Pinarbasi there are some similarities and differences about their practices and beliefs. The biggest underlying factor of the similarities of cultures are living together and being affected from each other. However study results show that lots of beliefs, cultural values are not on practice or they are forgotten in recent times. Following the researches, in Pinarbasi folk culture it is found the traces of Anatolian belief and cultural structure. Those traces create today's Pinarbasi folk culture. Keywords: Tradition, Folk Culture, Superstition, Pinarbasi, Kayseri