Traditional Dwellings of Golde (INCESU): A Rural Heritage in the Process of Change

EKEN E., Kul F. N.

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE, vol.52, no.1, pp.41-62, 2021 (AHCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 52 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/03055477.2021.1981593
  • Journal Name: VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, Art Source, Avery, ICONDA Bibliographic, International Bibliography of Art, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.41-62
  • Keywords: Golde, rural architecture, adaptation, daily life, traditional dwelling
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Golde, officially named Incesu, is a rural settlement located in Aegean Anatolia. Before the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, Golde hosted both Orthodox Rum and Muslim Turkish communities. Despite out-migration since 1923, traditional life continued in the settlement with a small population that now comprises mostly elderly Turkish people. This paper aims to understand traditional Golde dwelling units by analysing the influence of daily-life practices, customs, traditions and values through interviews with current locals and the oral testimonies of former Rum inhabitants. A site survey identified 136 traditional dwelling units, 68 of which are still inhabited. Site reconstruction analysis revealed the original condition of 90 dwelling units. These formed the primary focus of investigation. No major differences were found between houses originally belonging to the Rum and Turkish communities. However, the study identified significant adaptations of the dwelling units in line with changing socio-cultural conditions over time.