The Local Culture Association, established in Sakarya, draws attention with the activities it carries out with the aim of transferring the approximately 700-year-old Manav Turkmen culture to future generations. While hundreds of students have visited the Turkmen tent and Taraklı Manav Culture House established within the association, the administrators of the association said, "We are now the last generation. If we cannot pass on this culture to our children, our past will be lost."
Sakarya Local Culture Association continues its activities with the aim of recording, keeping alive and transferring the local cultural values of the city to future generations. Manav Culture House, which reflects Taraklı architecture with its tent set up in the garden of the association, offers its visitors the opportunity to get to know hundreds of years of Turkmen life and traditions. Ahmet Pekşen, one of the founders of the Sakarya Local Culture Association, stated that Manav Turkmens belong to the Kayı Tribe of the Oghuzs and that their ancestors settled in the present-day Sakarya plain, known as Akova, from Söğüt about 700 years ago. Stating that Orhan Gazi's charter dated 1301 is one of the most important historical documents of this settlement, Pekşen said that their presence in these lands dates back to centuries.
"Actually, there is no profession called greengrocer in our language."
Giving information about the origin of the name "Manav", Pekşen said, "This lineage, known as Manaps, later became the community that met the vegetables, fruits and orchard needs of the palace with the conquest of Istanbul. While it was said 'Buy from the manaps', over time, this expression turned into 'Greengrocer' due to a slip of the tongue. In fact, we do not have a profession called greengrocer in our language. When people say greengrocer, the place where fruits and vegetables are sold comes to mind, but this is its origin."
"If we do not carry these to future generations, new generations will come who do not know their past."
Pointing out the importance of preserving cultural heritage, association Pekşen said, "We are now the last generation. If we do not pass these on to future generations, new generations will come who do not know their past. Unfortunately, the future of those who do not know their past will not be very healthy. Students from 21-22 schools have visited so far. They saw the tools and equipment used by our ancestors in our Manav Culture House. They left very happy. They asked such good questions. Approximately 250-300 students have come so far. 15 in each group. "We hosted visitors from both private and public schools, between 25 and 25 students," he said.
"The reason we chose the building as Taraklı architecture is that it is a quintessential Turkmen house."
Explaining the reason for choosing the Taraklı house, Pekşen said, "You see the houses of Safranbolu, the unique house of the Turkmens, you see the houses of Mudurnu, see the houses in Bilecik and Söğüt. The Taraklı house is one of them. The reason why we chose the building as Taraklı architecture is that it is a quintessential Turkmen house. We want to host all our young people, children and members of all cultures under this roof. When they come here, they find many things about themselves. 'This was in our childhood, our mother, "Our grandmother used these," he said. "We welcome everyone here. We want to embrace everyone. This is our aim and desire." - SAKARYA