Büyü, Sivas ve Miras
Magic, Sivas and Heritage

Summary/Abstract: The subject of this article is the first scientific book of Sedat Veyis Örnek called Sivas ve Çevresinde Hayatın Çeşitli Safhalarıyla İlgili Batıl İnançların ve Büyüsel İşlemlerin Etnolojik Tetkiki. Purpose of the article is not only to describe the book but also to reinvent the writer by his education, scientific view, rites of passage and heritage left to his pupils. The article has three sections. In first section, outlines of the book are introduced. In second section, Örnek’s approach in Sivas is studied in more detail by his different works and the researchers that he was made a reference. In third section, writing style of Örnek in Sivas is focused. In conclusion section, the trails of Örnek at DTCF folklore department are followed. Some of the deductions made about Sivas are as follow: Sivas is based on a fieldwork. Its choosing a research field and techniques of data collecting are compatible with scientific trends of that period. Rites of passages contained ambiguity about on chance and sentiment are chosen as social phenomenon that magic and superstitions are be able to observe. It has a positivist writing style. Two purposes of Sivas came to the forefront. First is to determine magic and superstition in rites of passages with an ethnological concern. Second is to contribute to be take appropriate measures to obstacles to Turkish modernization. There are effects of two anthropological theories in Sivas. 19th century evolutionism is one of them has given the meaning to three main terms (primitive mind, magic, and superstition) of the Sivas. Reasons to have practices of superstitions and magic are is explained by bio-psychological needs of functionalist theory. To overcome the ahistoricism problem of functionalism, there are comments about cultural sources of the practices. For comparison purpose of ethnology, Sivas is compared with different cultures. People of Sivas, similar to all community with primitive mind, are unable to distinguish between substance and power. Human and the environment are connected to each other with organic and power and human are believed that they can control that power with magic.

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