Folklore of Kürse Village (3): Folk Medicine

Part II: Belief-Based Traditions

A. Folk Medicine

In this section, I shall endeavour to present the methods to which people resorted in moments of desperation—or which they used for treatment without questioning whether they were right or wrong, having observed them from their ancestors—as is common in regions of Anatolia that have been deprived of all education and infrastructure services, along with how these were applied to a few ailments.

Although some of the practices I describe here are no longer used today, I learnt from informants during my research that they were in use until very recently.

The village is quite vibrant in terms of these forms of treatment, relative to the surrounding area. Those who practise the treatments I am attempting to describe here are specific members of families referred to by the local people as ‘ocak’. When these individuals pass away, the treatment is continued by whoever in the family they have taught it to.

These forms of treatment are commonly known amongst the local people as ‘old wives’ remedies’.

Blackening

It is also known as ‘rubbing’. When any part of the body becomes twisted or dislocated (such as in the case of facial paralysis), this is called a ‘spasm’. Spasms usually result from catching a chill. Siyahlama is performed to treat such spasms.

The patient is laid on the threshold of the door. Starting from the right side, the patient’s four sides are rubbed with the inside of the left shoe. The same procedure is repeated three times. It is considered more appropriate to carry this out on Saturday mornings. If necessary, it is repeated for several weeks.

Spleen Cutting

It is believed that persistent abdominal swelling is caused by a swollen spleen. The patient’s neck is tightly bound with a piece of cloth. The vein behind the right ear, which is severely swollen, is cut with a razor or blade. The cut is then bandaged and tied securely. It is believed that the impure blood in the spleen is expelled through this severed vein, thereby reducing the abdominal swelling.

Snake Removal

This is a form of treatment applied for persistent pain in any organ. Three white, curved (snake-like) stones, said to have come from the Kaaba, are moistened and applied to the affected organ. After being left in place for about ten minutes, the stones are removed. An old clove of garlic is rubbed onto the spot where the stones were removed. This treatment is carried out either continuously for three weeks or on three consecutive Saturdays. If the patient is not present, the same procedure can be performed on a piece of paper and then applied to the patient’s painful areas.

This treatment is also carried out by members of specific families in the village, known as ‘ocak’, who are knowledgeable in such matters. A great many people come from neighbouring villages to these ‘ocak’ families for treatment.

Mole Treatment

Sometimes, swollen, weeping sores form on a person’s body. This is known as ‘mole disease’. A small amount of soil taken from the mounds created by moles is moistened and applied to the sore. A dead mole’s claw is run over the sore, lightly scratching the skin. The sore is then rubbed with an egg. There is no specific day for this treatment; it can be carried out on any day. The treatment is generally administered by the ‘ocak’ families.

Treatment for Kızılyörük

Kızılyörük is a highly feverish illness that causes red blisters on the body. When the illness strikes, it causes shivering similar to a bout of malaria. It is said that this illness is largely caused by grief. The treatment is carried out by specific women. For this, a small amount of earth taken from an earth wasp’s nest is moistened and applied to the reddened area. A portion of the resulting liquid is also strained and given to the patient to drink. It is said that the treatment takes effect immediately and is one hundred per cent effective.

Cauterisation

This is effective for a swollen throat causing loss of voice or a blocked throat. It is generally believed that this condition stems from grief. For the treatment, a small amount of dough is kneaded into a bowl shape. A sugar syrup is prepared and poured into it. A piece of iron is heated in the fire and inserted into the syrup. The dough bowl is placed on the patient’s nape. This process is continued until the patient feels the heat. Afterwards, the dough is crumbled and wrapped around the patient’s neck.

Telleme

This is a treatment applied to blister-like sores that form on the body. Pieces of cloth in seven different colours are cut into fine, thread-like strips and coated with mud from the wheel of a horse-drawn cart. These strips are then applied to the sores. It is believed that the ‘telleme’ procedure will heal the sores.

Çakma

This is a treatment for weeping, yellow sores on the face. Sparks produced by striking flint stones together are flicked onto the sores. It is said that this will heal the sores.

Lead Pouring

A method used against the ‘evil eye’ or various types of pain. It is carried out by certain individuals, particularly elderly women. A quantity of oil is placed in a pan, into which a piece of lead or shot is poured and melted over a fire. Water is placed in another container. The person to be treated is laid out lengthways on the floor and covered with a cloak. The molten lead is poured, in turn, three times over the patient’s head, three times over their abdomen, three times over their legs and once over their feet into the water. Furthermore, once the procedure is complete, a piece of bread is dipped in the water and thrown onto a dog. The remaining water in the vessel is then rubbed onto the patient’s aching areas. It is believed that this will relieve the pain.

Yalınlama

Yalınlama is a treatment used for swellings said to be caused by grief or anxiety. Such swellings are commonly known as ‘hörtleme’. For the treatment, nine pieces are torn from an old hemp sack and placed in three separate locations (making a total of 27 pieces). These pieces are placed inside an old maize pan. Three pieces of stinging nettle are also placed inside the pan. These are set alight using the flame of an oil lamp. All these procedures are carried out over the patient’s wound, whilst the patient lies on the ground and is covered. Care is taken not to blow on the fire whilst the pieces are burning.

It is said that if the illness is caused by curiosity, many sparks will fly from the fire; if, however, it is caused by grief, there will be few sparks. Once the procedure is complete, the woman performing the treatment washes her hands in the ash formed in the pan. The resulting liquid is rubbed onto the swellings to complete the treatment. This method is a fairly widespread tradition and, although very rare, it is said to be practised occasionally. It is noted that people still come from neighbouring villages for this treatment.

All episodes of the series

1. Foreword and Introduction to the Village
2. Customs Related to Birth and Children
3. Folk Medicine
4. Superstitions and Folk Meteorology
5. Proverbs, Blessings and Curses
6. Folk Songs, Lamentations and Nursery Rhymes
7. Legends and Riddles
8. Fairy Tales
9. Rhymes and Ramadan Rhymes

Traditions and Customs page