Research Article

THE TRADITION OF THE DOWRY CHEST IN THE CONTEXT OF MARRIAGE IN TURKISH CULTURE

ABSTRACT

A cultural mosaic emanates as an inherent consequence of proceeding of time in conjunction with time. Cultural formations, consisting of various meanings and significance, ensures human beings to fraternize and forge bonds with their pasts. The history of Turkish Culture incorporates various traditions, customs and folkways, each serving as a cultural element. Such differentiations emerging as a consequence of synthesis of the Central Asian Culture with the Anatolian Culture and Islamic Culture, constitutes an affluence. It has been observed that traditions, customs and folkways, having a substantial place in the Turkish Culture, have been substantially amended, altered and changed and even disappeared upon the influence of time and societies. Matrimony customs and traditions have been coming into prominence throughout the History of the Turkish Culture as formations having substantial place and influence on human lives and society. Upon reviewing the requirements of matrimony in historical terms, it is observed that the matrimony is considered and recognized by the Turkish people as the foundation of family, serving as a cornerstone of the society and bearing a universal meaning and the tradition of dowry occupies a substantial place and role in the process of the formation of family. Dowry given to the bride by the bride’s household is accumulated in a chest and the dowry chest, therefore, bears a substantial and precious meaning in terms of practitioners of this tradition. In this study, the concept of family as well as the matrimony and dowry tradition in the History of Turkish Culture shall be addressed concisely, and the tradition of the dowry chest shall be reviewed in consideration of the concept of dowry and the representation of chest and therefore, the dowry chest shall be discussed as a cultural value.

Keywords

History of Turkish Culture Matrimony Dowry Dowry Chest