Motif Academy Journal of Folklore

Abstract

Circassians are recognised as a society committed to their traditions. Circassians, who see their culture as a refuge against various difficulties in the geographies where they live, continue their existence as a people who make important contributions to the heritage of humanity with their cultural products. Circassians, who strictly adhere to various rules both for the inculcation of unity and the prevention of segregation while maintaining their existence, have attributed a special importance to the concept called haynape. Within the scope of the research, the meanings attributed to the concept in question were analysed. Within the scope of the study in which the analysis patterns of cultural geography and folklore fields were used, interviews were conducted with 20 people in Batmantaş Village, which is connected to the central district of Tokat province, by determining a random sample. In these interviews, it was tried to reveal the meanings attributed to the concept of haynape through four questions asked to the volunteer participants through a structured interview form. Accordingly, it was determined that the concept of haynape constitutes the prohibitions of the whole of the custom called Adige xabze in the Circassian society. It was observed that the participants referred to haynape with the words shame, respect, tradition, prohibition in Turkish and xabze, yemug, thamade in Circassian. The fact that haynapa is mentioned together with these words suggests that haynapa is understood as an important educational tool that keeps Circassian culture alive. In this context, it has been determined that haynapen is valued with its educational aspect as well as its functional aspect that keeps the society together. It has been observed that prohibitions and condemnations are considered as a tool for raising children, for young people to keep the family institution alive, and for old people to be respected by spending their old age in good health. From this point of view, it has been evaluated that haynapa is not only a means of prohibition and setting rules; in this respect, it cannot be considered taboo and is considered a very important tool for the unity of the society. In addition, although it is perceived as a concept that includes warnings, prohibitions and prohibitions, the fact that haynapen is praised and interpreted by all the informants is evaluated as the Circassians are united in terms of the meaning and functionality of their cultural assets.