Syncretistic Elements in the Helesa/Heyamola Tradition/ Helesa/Heyamola Geleneğindeki Senkretik Unsurlar

Abstract

In this research, in the context of the concept of syncretism, the existence of different belief systems from the past period in the Helesa/Heyamola tradition, which is especially seen in the Black Sea Region, has been tried to be determined and the transformation and transfer points of the tradition have been tried to be revealed. Although the origin of the Helesa/Heyamola tradition is maritime occupations, it usually consists of a folk song and a game sung in the accompaniment of mani in collective works. Although the tradition has local variants, it also has ritual practices in the form of a tip/charity show, which is performed by using vehicles such as boats and pans during the month of Ramadan. The Western Black Sea variants of the tradition are mostly related to maritime and are used in wedding ceremonies in the Eastern Black Sea Region. In the study, variants of the Helesa/Heyamola tradition, especially those related to maritime, were compared with some elements in the Cult of Saint Phokas, which emerged in the Black Sea Region in Late Antiquity and was the protector of sailors. At the same time, within the concept of chain syncretism, the possible ancient cults of Saint Phokas, which is a local cult originating from the Western Black Sea Region and the miraculous identity of the saint, primarily the patron of sailors, gardener and healer, were also examined. In this way, the process of the folkloric reflection of the religious transformation of the maritime ritual practices in the acculturation process in the region, starting from antiquity, with the help of archaeological data, has been followed. At the same time, in order to show that the syncretic process in the region continues from another branch, the belief of the Islamic saint Abaş Baba, with his identity as the patron of the sailors, providing healing and blessing, from İnebolu, where this tradition is kept alive and where the ancient and medieval cults are the source of this tradition, especially literary works. and tried to be shown with recent compilations.

Keywords

• syncretism
• helesa/heyemola
• abash baba
• saint phocas
• zeus poarinos