Arguvan Folk Songs and Arguvan Style
Arguvan is one of the best-known districts of Malatya in terms of musical culture. Arguvan folk songs stand out with themes of long melody, lament, love, longing, separation, poverty and fate.
Arguvan is one of the best-known districts of Malatya in terms of musical culture. Arguvan folk songs stand out with themes of long melody, lament, love, longing, separation, poverty and fate.
Malatya is considered within the halay region in terms of folk dances. Halays are usually played accompanied by drums and zurna.
Henna night has an important place in wedding traditions in Malatya. Songs sung and games played among women during henna nights are one of the oral transmission ways of local culture.
Bervanik is an apron or loincloth-type piece used in traditional Malatya women's clothing. It is prepared by printing patterns with wooden molds on plain woven cloth.
Arapgir wooden nailed shoes are one of the traditional handicrafts associated with Malatya's Arapgir district. The face part of these shoes is made of leather and the sole is made of chamois.
Copper products are mentioned as part of the traditional bazaar culture in Malatya. Products such as cauldrons, trays, bowls, plates, pitchers and lamps can be found in the Coppersmiths' Bazaar.
One of the first products that come to mind when Malatya is mentioned is apricot. Apricot is not just an agricultural product, but also part of Malatya's trade, culinary and daily life culture.
Winter preparations have an important place in Malatya cuisine. Dried products, fruit leather, molasses, jam, sun-dried apricots and similar products can be seen as part of home life.
In traditional Malatya culture, birth is seen as one of the important transition periods of human life. Birth, postpartum period, fortieth day ceremony, cradle preparation and some beliefs about protecting the child are included in folk culture.
Marriage traditions in Malatya consist of stages such as family meetings, betrothal, engagement, henna and wedding. While arranged marriages were more common in the past, marriages based on mutual agreement have increased over time.
Tura game is one of the traditional games mentioned in Malatya folk culture. This game, played in two teams, is described as a field game known especially among young men in the past.
Instruments such as bağlama, drum, zurna, reed flute, cümbüş and darbuka stand out in Malatya folk music. In Arapgir district, it is stated in sources that the clarinet is used more widely.
Handmade cloth dolls in Yeşilyurt district are mentioned among local handmade products. These dolls generally consist of male and female models prepared with Malatya's regional costumes.
Malatya culture includes not only food, music and folk dances, but also legends, narratives and oral culture. Local legends and narratives known by names such as Old Malatya, Derme Suyu, Koca Vaiz are mentioned in sources.
Semah is an important cultural and spiritual dance widespread in Malatya and its surroundings. Part of the Alevi-Bektashi tradition, semah is a ritual dance performed collectively.