Rituals of passage in Korkuteli (Antalya) folklore: Birth and marriage

The fundamental elements that connect individuals living within a community and forming a society are called culture. Culture is transmitted to future generations through various ceremonies, rituals, and practices. The periods in which cultural transmission is most prominently observed are transitional phases that mark significant thresholds in a person's life.These transitional periods, which can be considered turning points in people's lives, are generally examined under three main categories: birth, marriage, and death.In this study, we examined the traditions, rituals, and customs related to transitional periods that are preserved, forgotten, or have undergone change in the villages of Korkuteli, a district of Antalya. In order to analyze more deeply the customs, practices, and beliefs related to birth and marriage, the topic of death has been excluded from the scope of our study. In our study; field research, participant observation and interview methods have been used and the folk practices applied in the region have been identified and written down. In the introduction part of this study, which consists of two main sections and various subheadings, information about Korkuteli (history, geography, economy, cultural structure) is given. In addition, the purpose of the study, the methods used in the study and the limitations of the study are stated. In the first section, folk practices and beliefs related to childbirth are mentioned. In the second part, marriage traditions are emphasized and the customs, traditions and rituals applied are determined and analyzed under headings. In the conclusion section, a general evaluation of our study has been made. Keywords: Antalya, Korkuteli, Transition Periods, Birth, Marriage