The clothing worn by Kınalı muhacir women in wedding ceremoniesin Sakarya

With the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire from the Balkans in 1912-1913, the Kınalı muhacirs who migrated to Turkey blended their preserved cultural traditions with Turkish culture, creating a unique clothing heritage. The garments worn by Kınalı muhacir women during wedding ceremonies consist of various pieces. Examples of these include the bridal robe (entarisi), headscarf (mağrama), silver belt, jacket (salta), inner shirt, trousers (don), and bridal headpiece. In the thesis, the traditional clothing and accessories used in wedding ceremonies of the Kınalı muhacirs who migrated from Macedonia to Sakarya were examined. During the research, Kınalı muhacir families were visited, and oral interviews were conducted with the elders of these families. These interviews revealed that traditional bridal attire is now only worn during henna nights and special occasions, and young women no longer prefer these garments. Furthermore, it was observed that the number of individuals skilled in weaving and decorating techniques, as well as in the production of materials and accessories for the traditional Macedonian (Kınalı) bridal gown, is gradually decreasing. This thesis consists of four main chapters. In the first chapter, the historical and geographical features of Macedonia are examined in detail, focusing on the history of Turks in Macedonia, the city of Bitola (Manastır) in North Macedonia, and the migrations from this region to Turkey. Additionally, the cultural characteristics of the Kınalı muhacirs and Macedonian Turks living in Sakarya are discussed. The second chapter analyzes the traditional ceremonies of the Kınalı muhacirs residing in Sakarya. These ceremonies include significant rituals such as circumcision celebrations, henna nights, wedding ceremonies, and the unveiling of the bridal veil. In the third chapter, the clothing worn by Kınalı muhacirs during wedding ceremonies is examined in detail, along with the material properties, color preferences, decorative elements, and design features of these garments. The attire and accessories considered bridal wear are systematically explained, with each item described step by step. The fourth chapter focuses on artifact analysis, examining the fabrics, embellishments, sewing techniques, cutting features, and general technical characteristics of the identified garments. In this context, the richness and diversity of the clothing culture of Kınalı muhacir women have been examined using scientific methods, with the aim of documenting these valuable cultural artifacts and passing them on to future generations. The information and visual data obtained in this thesis are intended to serve as an important resource for individuals working in this field.