The practice of köçek and music of köçek in Kastamonu in the context of gender

Köçek can be defined as a physical performer presented by a biological man wearing a 'skirt'. Köçeks are performers whose visibility has been continuing from the 17th century to the present, but their cultural practices and indicators have been heatedly discussed. It is known that during the Ottoman Empire, in the 1850s, due to a law enacted, the köçek/köçek teams were subjected to forced migration from the palace and Istanbul. Köçeks (8-10 years old), which was started in childhood, is both a dance and music practice that is left/ abandoned or changed role when "mustache perspires". Köçek practice, which continues to exist in different regional areas of Anatolian socio-cultural geography, is mostly seen in and around Kastamonu. The "feminine" performance of the man dancing with music is also central to gender discussions. Gender, unlike biological gender, is linked to socially established concepts of masculinity and femininity and does not have to be a direct consequence of an individual's biological sex. In this context, this study is an ethnomusicological text in which the ethnographic method is used to investigate the music of köçeklik and köçek in the Cide and Şenpazar districts of Kastamonu province. The aim of this study; Köçeks, as "man wearing a skirt", dancing with music and practice of köçeks is to examine in both the formation of gender and in revealing social roles, and the context of how musical practices are realized. In addition, a wide range of musical practices such as instruments, repertoire, vocal practice, playing techniques is included in the aim of the study.