A Cultural Heritage in Kurdish Women's Clothing: The Tradition of Wearing Kofi (Headdress) in Adiyaman
Abstract
When it comes to Kurdish folklore, the role of women in the transmission of culture comes to the fore. All elements of culture, from food preparation to clothing, stories, tales and songs, are passed down from generation to generation by women. Kurdish folklore is characterised by the way women cover themselves, in particular by the custom of wearing the kofi (headdress). Kurdish women who adhere to their traditions start to cover their heads from an early age. For Kurds, this is seen as a requirement of both religious belief and tradition. Another function of the headscarf is to be used as an accessory to look beautiful in daily life. Different forms of veiling and jewellery are found in each region of the Kurdish geography. Until the second half of the 20th century, the most common form of veiling in Adıyaman was ‘çît û kulik’, the custom of wearing a kofî (headdress). This study aims to evaluate the tradition of wearing the kofi (headdress), the way it is tied, its elements, functions and its current status in Adıyaman province of Turkey. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews and observations were made with women who still wear kofi or who once wore kofi but later abandoned this tradition. The data obtained were analysed. In this study, it was revealed that the way women wear the kofi (headdress) gives some indications about their life stages (girl, bride, middle-aged married woman, widow, old woman). In addition, the way the kofi is tied, its colours and ornaments differ according to sects and tribes.In recent years, girls and young women prefer not to wear kofi anymore. For this reason, the number of old and middle-aged women who continue this culture in the region has decreased considerably. It is important to record this beautiful tradition before it is lost and to deepen the research in order to preserve and maintain Kurdish culture and folklore.
References
- Ağırmatlı, HH., & Begiç, HN. (2021). Anadolu’da Kaybolmakta Olan Geleneksel Bir Giyim Kuşam Unsuru: Zaza Püskülü. Çeşm-i Cihan: Tarih Kültür ve Sanat Araştırmaları Dergisi E-Dergisi. 8(2), 30-46.
- Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Investigating the Perceptions of KNL (Kurdish as a Native Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Learners towards Distance Learning in Online Kurdish and English Classes. In Balcı, T., Öztürk, O. & Aksöz, M. (Eds). Schriften Zur Sprache und Literatur V, (5th ed., pp. 76-88). Istanbul, Turkey: Çizgi Press.
- Bayrak, M. (2002). “Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını”, Haz. Mehmet Bayrak, Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını. Ankara: Özge.
- Cebi, A., & Babayigit, M. V., (2021). A cross-cultural study of the speech act of apology by Turkish and Kurdish Speakers of English and the native English speakers of English. Şarkiyat, 13(2), 895-909.
- Creswell, J. W. (2013). Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri: Beş Yaklaşıma Göre Nitel Araştırma ve Araştırma Deseni, (3. Baskıdan Çeviri). Çeviri Editörleri: M. Bütün ve SB Demir). Ankara: Siyasal Yayın Dağıtım.
- Çiftçi, Y. & Çifçi, T. (2024). Başımdaki Dünya, Adıyaman’ın Son Kofili Kadınları. Atlas Dergisi. 369, rr. 54-70.
- Bouzida, F. (2014, September). The semiology analysis in media studies: Roland Barthes Approach. In Proceedings of SOCIOINT14-International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (Vol. 8, No. 10, pp. 1001-1007).
- Halaçoğlu, Y. (1988). “Adıyaman”, Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı İslam Ansiklopedisi. C.1. İstanbul: TDV Yayınları.
- Kemal, Y. (2004). Nuhun Gemisi/Bu Diyar Baştan Başa. İstanbul: YKY Yayınları.
- Köktürk, Ş., & Eyri, S. (2013). Dilbilim ve göstergebilim: Ferdinand De Saussure ve göstergebilimi anlamak. Sakarya Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Dergisi, 2, 123-136.
- Noel, EWC. (2014). Diary of Major Noel on Special Duty in Kurdistan (Kürdistan 1919 Binbaşı Noel'in Günlüğü). Wergera ji Îngilîzî bo Tirkî: Bülent Birer, 3. Baskı. İstanbul: Avesta.
- Özus, E., Erden, F., & Tufan, M. (2016). Malatya Yöresi Geleneksel Kadın Kıyafetlerden Günümüze Yansımalar. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 2 (Special Issue 1), 650-664.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M.V., (2021). The Elements of Classical Roman in Jana Gel, Kurdiname, 5, p.48-57.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Common Mythological Legendary and Religious Heroes in the Divans of Serda and Hesbi. Kadim Hikmet Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 3(5), 22–34.
- Toprak, SV. (2018). Hısnımansur, Adıyaman: Adıyaman Üniversitesi Yayınları. Yurt Ansiklopedisi (1981). C.1, s.191. İstanbul: Anadolu Yayıncılık.
A Cultural Heritage in Kurdish Women's Clothing: The Tradition of Wearing Kofi (Headdress) in Adiyaman
Abstract
When it comes to Kurdish folklore, the role of women in the transmission of culture comes to the fore. All elements of culture, from food preparation to clothing, stories, tales and songs, are passed down from generation to generation by women. Kurdish folklore is characterised by the way women cover themselves, in particular by the custom of wearing the kofi (headdress). Kurdish women who adhere to their traditions start to cover their heads from an early age. For Kurds, this is seen as a requirement of both religious belief and tradition. Another function of the headscarf is to be used as an accessory to look beautiful in daily life. Different forms of veiling and jewellery are found in each region of the Kurdish geography. Until the second half of the 20th century, the most common form of veiling in Adıyaman was ‘çît û kulik’, the custom of wearing a kofî (headdress). This study aims to evaluate the tradition of wearing the kofi (headdress), the way it is tied, its elements, functions and its current status in Adıyaman province of Turkey. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews and observations were made with women who still wear kofi or who once wore kofi but later abandoned this tradition. The data obtained were analysed. In this study, it was revealed that the way women wear the kofi (headdress) gives some indications about their life stages (girl, bride, middle-aged married woman, widow, old woman). In addition, the way the kofi is tied, its colours and ornaments differ according to sects and tribes.In recent years, girls and young women prefer not to wear kofi anymore. For this reason, the number of old and middle-aged women who continue this culture in the region has decreased considerably. It is important to record this beautiful tradition before it is lost and to deepen the research in order to preserve and maintain Kurdish culture and folklore.
References
- Ağırmatlı, HH., & Begiç, HN. (2021). Anadolu’da Kaybolmakta Olan Geleneksel Bir Giyim Kuşam Unsuru: Zaza Püskülü. Çeşm-i Cihan: Tarih Kültür ve Sanat Araştırmaları Dergisi E-Dergisi. 8(2), 30-46.
- Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Investigating the Perceptions of KNL (Kurdish as a Native Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Learners towards Distance Learning in Online Kurdish and English Classes. In Balcı, T., Öztürk, O. & Aksöz, M. (Eds). Schriften Zur Sprache und Literatur V, (5th ed., pp. 76-88). Istanbul, Turkey: Çizgi Press.
- Bayrak, M. (2002). “Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını”, Haz. Mehmet Bayrak, Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını. Ankara: Özge.
- Cebi, A., & Babayigit, M. V., (2021). A cross-cultural study of the speech act of apology by Turkish and Kurdish Speakers of English and the native English speakers of English. Şarkiyat, 13(2), 895-909.
- Creswell, J. W. (2013). Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri: Beş Yaklaşıma Göre Nitel Araştırma ve Araştırma Deseni, (3. Baskıdan Çeviri). Çeviri Editörleri: M. Bütün ve SB Demir). Ankara: Siyasal Yayın Dağıtım.
- Çiftçi, Y. & Çifçi, T. (2024). Başımdaki Dünya, Adıyaman’ın Son Kofili Kadınları. Atlas Dergisi. 369, rr. 54-70.
- Bouzida, F. (2014, September). The semiology analysis in media studies: Roland Barthes Approach. In Proceedings of SOCIOINT14-International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (Vol. 8, No. 10, pp. 1001-1007).
- Halaçoğlu, Y. (1988). “Adıyaman”, Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı İslam Ansiklopedisi. C.1. İstanbul: TDV Yayınları.
- Kemal, Y. (2004). Nuhun Gemisi/Bu Diyar Baştan Başa. İstanbul: YKY Yayınları.
- Köktürk, Ş., & Eyri, S. (2013). Dilbilim ve göstergebilim: Ferdinand De Saussure ve göstergebilimi anlamak. Sakarya Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Dergisi, 2, 123-136.
- Noel, EWC. (2014). Diary of Major Noel on Special Duty in Kurdistan (Kürdistan 1919 Binbaşı Noel'in Günlüğü). Wergera ji Îngilîzî bo Tirkî: Bülent Birer, 3. Baskı. İstanbul: Avesta.
- Özus, E., Erden, F., & Tufan, M. (2016). Malatya Yöresi Geleneksel Kadın Kıyafetlerden Günümüze Yansımalar. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 2 (Special Issue 1), 650-664.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M.V., (2021). The Elements of Classical Roman in Jana Gel, Kurdiname, 5, p.48-57.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Common Mythological Legendary and Religious Heroes in the Divans of Serda and Hesbi. Kadim Hikmet Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 3(5), 22–34.
- Toprak, SV. (2018). Hısnımansur, Adıyaman: Adıyaman Üniversitesi Yayınları. Yurt Ansiklopedisi (1981). C.1, s.191. İstanbul: Anadolu Yayıncılık.
A Cultural Heritage in Kurdish Women's Clothing: The Tradition of Wearing Kofi (Headdress) in Adiyaman
Abstract
When it comes to Kurdish folklore, the role of women in the transmission of culture comes to the fore. All elements of culture, from food preparation to clothing, stories, tales and songs, are passed down from generation to generation by women. Kurdish folklore is characterised by the way women cover themselves, in particular by the custom of wearing the kofi (headdress). Kurdish women who adhere to their traditions start to cover their heads from an early age. For Kurds, this is seen as a requirement of both religious belief and tradition. Another function of the headscarf is to be used as an accessory to look beautiful in daily life. Different forms of veiling and jewellery are found in each region of the Kurdish geography. Until the second half of the 20th century, the most common form of veiling in Adıyaman was ‘çît û kulik’, the custom of wearing a kofî (headdress). This study aims to evaluate the tradition of wearing the kofi (headdress), the way it is tied, its elements, functions and its current status in Adıyaman province of Turkey. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews and observations were made with women who still wear kofi or who once wore kofi but later abandoned this tradition. The data obtained were analysed. In this study, it was revealed that the way women wear the kofi (headdress) gives some indications about their life stages (girl, bride, middle-aged married woman, widow, old woman). In addition, the way the kofi is tied, its colours and ornaments differ according to sects and tribes.In recent years, girls and young women prefer not to wear kofi anymore. For this reason, the number of old and middle-aged women who continue this culture in the region has decreased considerably. It is important to record this beautiful tradition before it is lost and to deepen the research in order to preserve and maintain Kurdish culture and folklore.
References
- Ağırmatlı, HH., & Begiç, HN. (2021). Anadolu’da Kaybolmakta Olan Geleneksel Bir Giyim Kuşam Unsuru: Zaza Püskülü. Çeşm-i Cihan: Tarih Kültür ve Sanat Araştırmaları Dergisi E-Dergisi. 8(2), 30-46.
- Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Investigating the Perceptions of KNL (Kurdish as a Native Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Learners towards Distance Learning in Online Kurdish and English Classes. In Balcı, T., Öztürk, O. & Aksöz, M. (Eds). Schriften Zur Sprache und Literatur V, (5th ed., pp. 76-88). Istanbul, Turkey: Çizgi Press.
- Bayrak, M. (2002). “Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını”, Haz. Mehmet Bayrak, Geçmişten Günümüze Kürt Kadını. Ankara: Özge.
- Cebi, A., & Babayigit, M. V., (2021). A cross-cultural study of the speech act of apology by Turkish and Kurdish Speakers of English and the native English speakers of English. Şarkiyat, 13(2), 895-909.
- Creswell, J. W. (2013). Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri: Beş Yaklaşıma Göre Nitel Araştırma ve Araştırma Deseni, (3. Baskıdan Çeviri). Çeviri Editörleri: M. Bütün ve SB Demir). Ankara: Siyasal Yayın Dağıtım.
- Çiftçi, Y. & Çifçi, T. (2024). Başımdaki Dünya, Adıyaman’ın Son Kofili Kadınları. Atlas Dergisi. 369, rr. 54-70.
- Bouzida, F. (2014, September). The semiology analysis in media studies: Roland Barthes Approach. In Proceedings of SOCIOINT14-International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (Vol. 8, No. 10, pp. 1001-1007).
- Halaçoğlu, Y. (1988). “Adıyaman”, Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı İslam Ansiklopedisi. C.1. İstanbul: TDV Yayınları.
- Kemal, Y. (2004). Nuhun Gemisi/Bu Diyar Baştan Başa. İstanbul: YKY Yayınları.
- Köktürk, Ş., & Eyri, S. (2013). Dilbilim ve göstergebilim: Ferdinand De Saussure ve göstergebilimi anlamak. Sakarya Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Dergisi, 2, 123-136.
- Noel, EWC. (2014). Diary of Major Noel on Special Duty in Kurdistan (Kürdistan 1919 Binbaşı Noel'in Günlüğü). Wergera ji Îngilîzî bo Tirkî: Bülent Birer, 3. Baskı. İstanbul: Avesta.
- Özus, E., Erden, F., & Tufan, M. (2016). Malatya Yöresi Geleneksel Kadın Kıyafetlerden Günümüze Yansımalar. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 2 (Special Issue 1), 650-664.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M.V., (2021). The Elements of Classical Roman in Jana Gel, Kurdiname, 5, p.48-57.
- Tanrıkulu, V., & Babayiğit, M. V. (2021). Common Mythological Legendary and Religious Heroes in the Divans of Serda and Hesbi. Kadim Hikmet Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 3(5), 22–34.
- Toprak, SV. (2018). Hısnımansur, Adıyaman: Adıyaman Üniversitesi Yayınları. Yurt Ansiklopedisi (1981). C.1, s.191. İstanbul: Anadolu Yayıncılık.
Details
| Primary Language | Kurdi |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Kurdish Language, Literature and Culture, Anthropology (Other) |
| Journal Section | Makaleler |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | March 22, 2025 |
| Publication Date | March 21, 2025 |
| Submission Date | February 17, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | March 8, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 |
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