Bursa Türkoman nomad bridal costume

From the Orhaneli and Keles districts (South of the city of Bursa). Early 20th century.
The triangular and cylindric ornaments of the necklace are both a ‘muskalık’ (holder for an amulet).

Traditional Muslim faith in Turkey includes the belief in the protective and healing power of amulets, called ‘muska’ or ‘himayıl’. These can have different forms: a design (e.g. in knitted stockings), an object (such as little mirrors or the so-called ‘göz’ = eye, a blue glass pearl with a white spot) or specific formulas written down by Islamic scholars on a little piece of paper. These papers are sewed into clothing (e.g. of little children) or placed into little boxes hanging on chains, which can be worn around the neck (as is the case here: one triangular and one cylindric). These boxes are called ‘muskalık’ (= amulet-thing).

Note: The museum’s labeling as ‘nomad’ is somewhat misleading since all Turcoman groups in the Bursa region settled in villages before 1750; some of their annual festivals go even back to 1350, such as the Karakeçeli ‘Hıdırellez Şenlikleri’ of the Sorgun village, near Keles.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: The Kavak Collection of Anatolian Costumes, Antwerpen/Belgium
& Website of ‘yoremguncel.com’.