The Relationship between Cultural Tourism and Traditional Clothing Culture: Çanakkale Case

Abstract

Cultural values are the material and spiritual elements that are passed down from generation to generation as a result of the experiences and interactions of a region from past to present, and that can change with the necessity of time and conditions, and that make societies a society. In this sense, each community has its own tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements. There are many Turkish communities with different cultural structures in the districts and villages of Çanakkale. The community consists of Manavs, Turkmens, Pomaks, Yoruks, Bulgarian immigrants, a small number of Kumuk Turks, Circassians and Bosnians. Only four or five families remained from the Jews in the region after the Second World War. The aim of this study is to reveal the clothing traditions specific to different ethnic groups living in Çanakkale and to develop suggestions for ensuring sustainability and introducing them to the tourism sector. Data were obtained in the research using the participant observation method, which is one of the qualitative research methods. Between January 2020 and November 2024, villages in Çanakkale were visited and clothing specific to different cultures were depicted and the clothes worn on special days and ceremonies were revealed. According to the results obtained from the research; It was concluded that the clothing traditions of different cultures continue today in the districts and villages of Çanakkale and that traditional clothes are worn especially by middle-aged and older people on traditional holidays and celebrations.