Capan: A name from Aksaray in the frame of Turkish name giving tradition
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Date
2007
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Publisher
MILLI FOLKLOR DERGISI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Abstract
Such masculine names as Temel, Okkes, and Ahmet Turan are associated with the Black Sea region, Kahramanmaras, and Sivas respectively, for these names are specific to these places and each one is very frequently used in its region. Similarly, there are such other names that are exclusive to the province of Aksaray. The names Ali Baba, Capan, Sammaz, and Yunus Emre are often encountered in the region. These four names are given to children due to the tombs located in different parts of the city that are believed to belong to the saints with those names. As the locations of Ali Baba and Yunus Emre tombs are not limited to Aksaray, these two names are observed to be frequently used in other certain areas of the country as well. However, the tombs of Sammaz and (Japan exist only in Aksaray, and therefore, these two names are most often found in this city. A word from Old Turkish, Capan is derived from the verb cap-. The noun and the verb form of the word can be traced back in written sources to some one thousand years ago. The verb cap- and some of its derivatives can be found in other Turkic dialects, as it has existed since Old Turkish time. The number of the names Capan / Capan Dede / Capandede registered in Turkey is 2116. 1878 of them are in Aksaray. Thus, it would be plausible to claim that the source of the name is this city. The tomb of Capan Dede, the reason for giving boys the name Copan, is located on a hill in the vicinity of Altinkaya town of Aksaray. A series of beliefs have developed around the tomb. It is believed that a woman who does not have a boy will be given one with God's permission provided that she visits the tomb under certain rules and rituals. In addition to Capan Dede, there are also other tombs in Altinkaya of Cal/Calt Dede, Gul Dede, Kas/Kash Dede, and Omer/Omar Dede. Even though a name-giving tradition has developed around these tombs, too, it has not been as strong as that of (Capan Dede. The tomb-centered name-giving tradition still continues, though it is a weaker, practice now than what it used to be in the past years. A collection of superstitions developed around the tombs in the town is also included in the present study.
Description
Keywords
onomasiologie, Aksaray, Capan, tomb
Journal or Series
MILLI FOLKLOR
WoS Q Value
N/A
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Volume
Issue
76
