Abstract :
Ilgın, one of the 31 districts of Konya province, is located 86 km northwest of the province center. Founded on historical trade roads, it has been considered as important settlement place in every age for its natural spring. Besides, it is important settlement in every period for having natural hot springs. This geopolitical feature of Ilgın provides popularity in terms of tourism sector and attracts different communities to the district. One of the settled cultures in Ilgın where several cultures have been hosted historically is Crimean Turks. In the beginning of 19. century, about 1500 Crimean Turks escaped from Russian pressures and settled in Ilgın. The native people in Ilgın called this ethnic community as “Balalar” whom still continue theirs several original traditions from Crimean and also some traditions that they obtained living in Ilgın. Local clothes and accessories that Balalar wear in their private days have added richness to Ilgın cultures. The initial gifts waited by fiance young woman are engagement ring, velvet, and sequined salwar suit. These clothes are dressed either in their weddings or hidden in the chest carefully to wear in another private days.The main aim of this study is to analyze the traditional clothes, which are the outcome of Balalar’s traditional life styles through the field research in Ilgın. The determination reason of this subject as traditional clothes of the Crimean Tatar Turks is that this cultural community has protected its traditional lifestyles as much as possible for these days. This unique community, also called Balalar by the people of Ilgın, has made the shalwar, which is the most traditional garment used by the Turkish people from Central Asia to the present day as an integral part of wedding traditions. Balalar wear blouses with long sleeves and different model applied collars that fit over the baggy trousers. The traditional clothes has been analyzed into a number of categories such as content, colors, materials, model, cuttings, sewing, ornamentation, lining and also these subjects will be supported with rich visual materials. The importance and originality of this study is that it is the first study to give detailed information about traditional life styles and also traditional clothes of Cream Turks settled in Ilgın district.
Keywords :
Ilgın , The Crimean Immigrant , Tatars , Balalar , Traditional Clothes