Mourning rituals in the context of Gaziantep: an autoethnographic and ethnographic perspective

Death, the inevitable end of every living being, has appeared throughout human history as a phenomenon that people have continuously sought to make sense of. Inseparable from the notion of life, death—although as natural as birth—has nevertheless triggered feelings of curiosity and anxiety in human beings due to the uncertainties and unpredictability it entails. As a species equipped with the instinct for survival, humans have endeavored since ancient times to secure their existence and establish a sense of safety within their communities by taking measures against the unknown and the unforeseeable. This situation has laid the groundwork for the development of various practices, shaped by the cultural, geographical, and sociological characteristics of the society to which the individual belongs. The static behavioral patterns at the core of these practices have come to constitute rituals. Ritualistic practices developed in response to death—the phenomenon that severs an individual's connection with life, loved ones, and possessions—not only carry universal characteristics but also reflect the spiritual values of the society in which they emerge. These values, as they correspond to cultural elements, possess a dynamic structure and are continuously updated in accordance with the conditions of the era and social needs. The findings of this study were obtained through ethnographic and autoethnographic research conducted during a funeral ceremony in the Şehitkamil district of Gaziantep. In this context, the death and mourning rituals practiced in Şehitkamil, Gaziantep were examined in their cultural, individual, and social dimensions, with an effort to interpret and analyze the world of meanings these rituals embody.