A folklore study on Mersin plateau culture

Culture is a flexible concept that varies. In general, as with every intangible cultural element, highland culture loses its old meaning over time and changes functionally. This change is particularly evident in the Mediterranean region. Yoruks are in a migration movement depending on traditional activities and the geographical structure of Mersin. This migration movement is today referred to as "transhumance". The Yoruks, who go up to the plateaus of the Taurus Mountains in the summer and come down to the coast or to the foothills of the Taurus Mountains in winter, carry out the last traditional transhumance activity in Mersin. Traditional transhumance is gradually being replaced by highland tourism due to the touristic structure of Mersin, extreme temperatures, humidity, etc. From this perspective, there are two types of transhumance in Mersin. These two types of transhumance activities comprise traditional transhumance and summer transhumance. The places in Mersin where these two types of transhumance are observed constitute two different highland areas. Although traditional transhumance is mostly seen in the regions referred to as rural areas, it is also seen in the highlands referred to as villages among the people. The highlanders are seen in the highlands called these villages. In this context, Mersin highland culture was investigated with a folkloric analysis, but the changing culture was also tried to be reflected in the thesis.