Transition period customs of Tirebolu region

Folklore makes an inference by examining the material and spiritual cultural elements in a scientific framework during the period from the birth of man to his death, and is establishing a connection between the past and present cultural structures. All products of folklore have cultural features of the region where people live in and they continue their lives within the framework of these features. Perhaps the most important among these products are the transition period customs. There are three important topics that are the main subject of transition period customs: them being marriage, birth and death. The person being born continues its life as an individual by bringing together the cultural characteristics of the society one lives in with the requirements of the period of living. When the individual reaches the age of marriage it marries in the light of the values of the society establishing a home and earning a status role in the eyes of society. As mentioned before one experiences the inevitable end in the last stage of life. Considering that technological developments affect the society in a very fast way, it can be seen that some of the cultural values which make up the society are rather disappearing very quickly as some of them continue to survive in different ways. Writing down the customs of birth, marriage and death in Tirebolu region, which are core of the study without them being forgotten or undergone any change or transformation is the main reason for this study. Firstly the historical development, geographical, population and economic structure of the research area were discussed in this study. Following with the birth, marriage and death customs, which constitute the transition periods, were classified as a result of the reaserch studies carried out in the field. In the last part the reasons for the cultural change and transformation that took place in the region in the context of the past and present are given. In the conclusion part, a general evaluation of the study is made following with the explanation of what can be done to ensure the cultural continuity.