Yuruk (Yörük)  derives from the Turkish word ‘yurumek’ (walkıng). Its essence, ancestors and background ıs from Mıddle Asıa.

Its means of lıvelıhood ıs anımal raısıng. Our people have come to love and ıntegrate wıth theır anımals, whıch are the means of theır lıvelıhood,  

And wıth the nature whıch feeds them to such an extent that thıs beloved understandıng,

      thıs enthusıastıc perceptıon has led to the love for humans and the     “hospıtabılıty” of Turks whıch ıs worldwıde accepted and apprecıated.

With the life and livelihood which had been full of love and happiness in spite of the hardships in the natural environment of Middle Asia and our people moved onto the search for themselves and their animals which is full of longing after the change of climate and the conditions.

 Becoming inappropriate for leading life in the Middle Asia and came to Anatolia which was ornamented with plateaus and winter shelter areas and they continued that nomadic life which was full of enthusiasm and happiness, which was also a result of their economy.

They brought that fundamental desire for living and the happiness into their house (tent) which they weaved with their own hands even far before when they were in Middle Asia.

They transferred the hairs and wool of their animals which they dyed with the colours they had obtained from the roots of the plants onto their rugs, carpets, felts, saddlebags, pillow, coloumn, food bags,

and the headscarves with the motives they acquired from nature and the animals they raised and which they stylized from their evolution of life with a great kindness, skill, plainness and grace, so they turned their house into a real jollification of happiness and colors.

Yuruk tent is a symbol of the pleasure of Turkish people, their incorporation with the nature, and of the fact that their happiness and beauty are kneaded with the love and the respect for nature, so has been a symbol and a summary of a long established culture.

This long established and rich life style were active until 40-50 years ago all around Anatolia in the plateaus, shelters, and in hundreds of tents,

whereas it has, today, come to the phase of becoming extinct due to the conditions of our century and various other reasons. 

In those days when Yuruks lived in mass, each Yuruk group had a leader. The leader was the chieftain, ruler of the community, which is the group of nomads amongst which he live.

Unlike other Yuruk houses, the house of Yuruk Ruler used to be larger and comfortable. Important meetings used to be held in there, decisions used to be made in there and the guests used to be entertained in that tent.

No matter who were the guest, they were important and regarded as the guest of the Ruler who was the leader of the group of the nomads, the self esteem of them. 

Marriage was a very holy foundation in Yuruks whose traditions and customs were as rooted as their lifestyles. 

It was valued very much. Respect for the equality of men an women was a requirement of this foundation and lifestyle.

Love and respect for woman was unlimited. The first night of the wedding used to be spent in a white tent – unlike from other tents which are in black – that used to be weaved specially for the young men of the community.

Copper,wood and leather are widely used in Yörük kitchen.Livestock breeding is basic for Yörük economy

Traditional old copper pots.

That is why Yörük produce and consume a lot af milk and dairy products.Also,they like eating meat rich with natural protein.

They do not neglect grain products,either that is an essential part of normal nutrition.  

Gozleme scones are agreat example of this Ayran is Yörük’s favorite beverage.You can see the instrument used fort his drink preparation.

Yoruks; With their traditions and lifestyles, they continue to be the yeast of our culture as they have been for thousands of years.