REGINALD CAVE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

In Search of Roots: Travelling with Yoruk Nomadic Tribe

BEHNOUD NAJAFI PROPOSALOctober 2012

“Not all those who wander are lost.”Tolkien, J.R.R (1954)

Human being is changing faster than ever. Our habitat, behaviour, skills and thoughts are greatly influenced by technology, globalization and modern social norms.

However, there are few civilizations following the path of their ancestors which have not been influenced by urbanism as much as others. Yoruk Nomads are one of the few tribes who follow nomadic traditions in 21st century. Traditions, which have been preserved to sustain their society, economy and environment. They travel long distances between the uplands and the lowlands of southern Anatolian mountains with their flocks and herds. They are self sustained societies who live a life very different from what we experience in our modern world.

I believe many lessons can be learned from a tribe which lifestyle is based around living the very basic of human instincts and needs. Yoruk Nomads live an intelligent social, economical and environmental life through skills and habits they developed over centuries. I want to become a Reginald Cave Scholar to investigate into these skills and values. I want to discover roots by studying basics of human needs. Hoping to adopt and reflect it in my architectural career to encourage self sustained societies.

Travel Aim: Mens of Travel:

Accommodation:Duration:

Location:

Route:

To live and travel with a Yoruk Family. Buses, Plane, Hiking

Istanbul: Couch SurfingTaurus Mountains: Wild Camping

One week to ten days

Taurus Mountains, Southern Anatolia,Turkey

Oxford > London > Istanbul > Antalya > Taurus Mountains

Travel Companions:I proposed this concept to number of friends whom I thought could contribute to my journey.While we will share and record this experience together, each person will follow his personal outtake during this trip.

German-Turkish Photographer Based in Istanbul. She will record the experience of travelling with nomads as well as documenting life of Yoruks through photographs.

Istanbul based freelance journalist. Interested in sociology and mysticism. He is also a camping expert.

Turkish designer and painter. He is a travel expert with good knowledge of the area. Cem volunteered to join us as an interpreter.

FATMA GIDEN

YAZDAN RAEES

CEM KAHRAMAN

IN THIS JOURNEY I AM GOING TO OBSERVE:

YORUK’S SOCIAL LIFE: YORUK’S ARCHITECTURE AND SPACE:

YORUK’S SUSTINABLE LIFE:

- How their society works- What their habits are- How they sustained their lifestyle- What new generation thinks bout nomadic life- Their religious and spiritual beliefs - Position of women, men and children in society

- Environment- Tent Design- Tent Production- Tent Set-up- Planning Campsite and tent- Perception of space- Memory - Meaning of “home”

- Environmental sustainability - Economical Sustainability Trade and production

I WILL RECORD MY EXPERIENCE USING:

- SKETCHES/SKETCH BOOK- DIAGRAMS- VIDEO BLOGS- PHOTOGRAPHS- INTERVIEWS WITH YORUKS- ANALYTIC WRITING- RECORDING DISCUSSIONS WITH TRAVEL COMPANIONS- TECHNICAL SCALE DRAWINGS- INFOGRAPHICS

SCHEDULE:

NOVEMBER General Research on Yoruk Nomads and Nomadic ArchitectureFinding connections and Identifying Yoruk Families Identifying location of their camp

Detail PlanningInitial Visit to selected family (by Cem and Fatma)Finalizing location and routes Finalizing required equipments

Presentation

TRIP

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY