Migration is organized on the road...

This week, in my column, I will share the Göcek Yörük Migration with you. The 23rd Göcek Gürsu Pırnaz Highland Walk (Göcek Yörük Migration, Highland Migration) was successfully completed last week. Did the oldest and longest migration movement in our region (the Western Taurus Mountains) make an impact? It certainly did. How much was it heard across the country? I cannot say. I think it was quite effective in terms of social media promotion and announcements. 

İsmet Dim began preparations months in advance. First, he and Ramazan Sarı and their friends established the Göcek Yörük Nomads Culture and Solidarity Association. The contributions of the Fethiye Municipality and the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality were immense; we are very grateful to those who contributed, especially our Mayors, Alim Karaca and Ahmet Aras. 

Once the official correspondence and meetings with the Muğla Governorship were completed and the day arrived, our procession began from in front of the Göcek Culture Center toward the center of Göcek. The procession was moving along quite colorfully and enthusiastically. As camels, horses, drums, and zurnas, and Yörüks wearing traditional headscarves, moccasins, and boots who had come from near and far were walking toward Göcek Square led by the Fethiye Municipal Band, one of the horses was startled. Kadriye Efe, the head of the Dalaman Yörük Turkmen Tribes, could not hold onto her horse and fell. Amidst the running around and the ambulance, my own childhood came to mind. My late grandfather, Osman Demir, would take me and my brother, when we were 6-7 years old, on the highland roads. When we would whine and cry while walking behind the livestock, he would grab us by the arm and throw us onto the horse. Sometimes we couldn't hold on and would fall to the other side of the horse. Interestingly, when we fell, the walking horse would stop and not continue walking. The highland walk, which began with an unwanted accident and lasted 3 nights and 4 days, was completed with sweet memories and new friendships. Dalaman Yörük Association President Kadriye Hanım survived the accident with minor bruises. I wish her a speedy recovery on behalf of all the nomads. 

The Turks, said to consist of 24 tribes, were shaped under the umbrella of great states such as the Huns, Göktürks, and Uyghurs. Turkic tribes basically consist of five main branches based on language and geographical characteristics. These are the Oghuz/Turkmen, Kipchak, Karluk, Siberian, and Kyrgyz. The origins of today's Turkic states and communities are based on these great tribes. 

We also come from the Oghuz/Turkmen tribe. We are their children. Being a Yörük is woven into our genes. Atatürk was also a Yörük. We take pride in our Yörük identity.

Yörük Migration is the traditional seasonal migration movement that nomadic Oghuz/Turkmen tribes (i.e., Yörüks) living in Anatolia and the Balkans make with their animals between winter pastures (seyil - coast) and high plateaus, depending on seasonal and economic conditions.

For over 400 years, we have been carrying out the "Göcek Migration," which is our ancestors' lifestyle, as a 4-5 day walk for 23 years. This year, about 70 Yörüks and hikers participated in the Göcek Migration, which took place between June 15-19, 2026. Together with those who came to share and support the Yörük life and culture, including citizens from Cyprus, Germany, Belgium, and various provinces of our country, we exceeded 500 people.

As long as humanity exists, migration is an important sociopolitical lifestyle. The lands of Anatolia have been and continue to be a bridge for hundreds of migrating communities. At the root of migrations lie economic living conditions. 

The 14th-century Tunisian scientist Ibn Khaldun, "when explaining the birth, development, and collapse of societies, accepts economic activities such as production, trade, and division of labor as the most fundamental dynamics." Therefore, he says, "... the basis of every social, political, and cultural event rests on the economy." 

Migration is setting out on a journey. It has a goal. There is hope for reaching something better. Özgür Özel is also preparing for a new migration, a new path. What does he say? "We will either find a way or we will open a way. Our goal is power. Let's walk, friends," he says, announcing a new migration.

May his path be clear; we too will join the caravan of migration. May our path and your path be clear.