Elements of Molokan culture in the Kars region within the context of cultural geography and cultural tourism

Abstract

In the present study, traces of the Molokan culture in the Kars region have been discussed in term of human-locality interaction. In this context; what the reasons that forced the Molokan to migrate from Russia to Kars were, what kind of cultural traces they left during their stay in the region, and which communities they interacted with in the region were all examine. Furthermore, it was aimed to produce answers to the questions such as what the cultural elements starting with the Molokans in the region and surviving in the present day were, how the existing Molokan cultural elements could be evaluated in the context of cultural tourism. For this purpose, the villages of Çakmak, Boğatepe, İncesu, Porsuklu and Yalınçayır where the Molokans lived densely, were selected as a sample and observation trips were organized to these villages. The interview method was used in order to obtain the information and opinions of the local people. As a result of the studies carried out, it was understood that the architectural elements such as houses, dairy farms, stables, mills, bridges and cut stone paved roads survived in the region from the Molokan to the present day, and they led the local people in many professions, especially cheese making and milling.