“Suyla Arınma”dan Modern Zamanların “Gelin Hamamı”na: Tarihi Karacabey Hamamı’nda Gelin Hamamı
From “Water Purification” to “Bridal Bath” of Modern Times: Bridal Bath in Historical Karacabey Bath

Summary/Abstract: In this study, “bridal bath” tradition, which is one of the transitional cultural practices (rites of passage), and its current forms of practices in “Historical Karacabey Bath” in Ankara, are tried to revive are discussed. The bridal bath is a part of the traditional Turkish bath culture with ceremonies and entertainment accompanying a certain phase of marriage and wedding traditions. Water purification, which we often see in ritual practices, is used in many beliefs, religions and cultures (just like fire and earth) as a means of cleaning, regeneration, and fertility. In the study, the applications of the bride bath with its position and importance in the traditions of marriage are considered as a form of water purification in our traditional culture. For this reason, baths have become the most important cultural places of purification with the value and sanctity as well as cleaning, which is a natural need. In the face of the rapid withdrawal of baths and bathing habits from our lives, the importance of historical baths in terms of concrete cultural heritage, as well as the tradition of bath culture and bridal baths, are lost as an intangible cultural heritage. On the one hand, it is observed that the baths, which are tried to be protected with their historical and architectural features, and on the other hand, try to revive the old bridal bath practices with their new functions in order to live and keep the tradition of the bath culture alive. The “Historical Karacabey Bath”, which has witnessed this tradition for many years in Ankara, is one of the Turkish baths that has been trying to revive the tradition with the name “bachelorette party” or “henna nights” in recent years. Our data sources were bridal baths experienced by observations in the fieldwork carried out in Karacabey Bath and conducted indepth interviews with the practitioners of this cultural practice who are the bath operators, “natir”s and bride candidates. As a result, the changing face of the bath culture and especially the “bridal bath” practice was tried to be conveyed with its remarkable results, despite the awareness of the practitioners about the subject, it was seen that the lack of knowledge about the tradition itself and conservation approaches led to changes in purpose, content and practices, and especially the entertainment dimension was emphasized. The process that this interest will follow in terms of safeguarding, keeping alive and transferring the tradition within the commercial concerns and consumer culture is important.

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