In Seydikemer district of Muğla, one of the most important organizations where the Yoruk culture is kept alive, the Traditional Seydikemer Highland Çobanisa Devecik-Emincik Festival started with an enthusiastic highland walk. In the festival held with high participation every year, citizens experienced the happiness of both preserving century-old traditions and coming together in unity and solidarity.
Many citizens from surrounding neighborhoods as well as Seydikemer, Fethiye, and different districts attended the festival held in Seydikemer Yayla Çobanisa Neighborhood. Colorful scenes were created with the plateau walk that started in the morning hours, and the festival continued throughout the day with local treats, folk dances, cultural activities, and concert programs.
Ramazan Kıvrak: “This Tradition Has Been Alive for Centuries”
Ramazan Kıvrak, President of the Anatolian Yörük Turkmen Federation, stated in his remarks about the history of the festival that the event is the continuation of a deep-rooted tradition. Kıvrak noted that they revived the festival with the villagers about 30 years ago and said: "We are in Yayla Çobanisa, a Yörük land and ancient Turkish homeland, in the Seydikemer district of Muğla. This is one of the farthest villages near the Burdur border. About 30 years ago, under my leadership, we restarted these festivals with the villagers. However, this tradition is much older; it existed 50 years ago and even 100 years ago."
Kıvrak explained the camel migration tradition, one of the most striking parts of the festival, saying that the young people connect to each other with ropes and represent a caravan consisting of seven camels, and that they recreate old migrations with the pine branches in their hands. He then stated that they go to houses to ask for food such as bulgur, chickpeas, beans, oil, salt, sugar, and eggs, and that cooking the collected products in cauldrons and sharing them is an important part of this tradition.
Halil Hancı: “There Is a Very Beautiful Atmosphere”
Halil Hancı, Former President of the Karaçulha Volunteers Association, noted that the festival attracted great interest and said the following: “Today we are at the Seydikemer Çobanisa Devecik Festival. There is a very beautiful atmosphere. Our valuable artists will perform on stage. We have our market, and thankfully, our crowd is also large. I thank all our people and associations who participated.”
Hakan Özer: “Our Festival Will Continue with a Public Concert”
Festival Organizing Committee Chairman Hakan Özer also stated that the event continues to grow every year and thanked the citizens. Özer included the following remarks in his statement: “At our Yayla Çobanisa Village Devecik Festival, which we have made traditional, we will first carry out our plateau walk with all our people, villagers, fellow townsmen, associations coming from outside, and guests coming from abroad. In the evening, our program will continue with a public concert. We thank all the people who participate and our villagers who support us. May they live long and prosper.”
Yörük Culture is Being Transmitted to Future Generations
Starting with a plateau hike, the Traditional Seydikemer Plateau Çobanisa Devecik-Emincik Festival continues throughout the day with various events, remaining an important meeting point for keeping the Yörük culture alive and passing it on to future generations. In the evening section of the festival, it is expected that the enthusiasm will continue with public concerts and various stage performances.
Traditional Seydikemer Highland Çobanisa Devecik-Emincik Festival Started with a Highland Walk
Traditional Seydikemer Highland Çobanisa Devecik-Emincik Festival Started with a Highland Walk
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