Meeting of Traditional Values in Kırşehir: Ahilik Week

Abstract

Ahilik is an organization that provides trade and solidarity between tradesmen and craftsmen in Anatolia. The Ahilik Organization, which has been in existed since the 13th century, help individual’s professional skills by prioritizing moral values and professional ethics. This tradition provides justice, trust and honesty in business life. Ahi organization was founded under the leadership of Ahi Evran. Ahi Organization has become a deep-rooted organization in many parts of Turkey, especially in Kırşehir, which considered to be the center of Ahilik. Ahi Evran tried to establish order in social and cultural life without only for pursuing trade purposes. He kept the work ethic in the foreground continued its transfer from generation to generation through the master apprentice relationship among the tradesmen. The Ahi Organization in Kırşehir spread rapidly, especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. In the study, it well be conveyed with which contents the ongoing Ahi week celebrations are celebrated in Kırşehir province. The importance of Ahilik in Kırşehir is supported by fieldwork. Ahi celebrations are shown with photographs from the personal archives. İnformation was obtained from the tradesmen working in the Ahi Bazaar in the center and this Ahilik and the relations where tradesmen were evaluated within the scope this information.