Tahtacı

For the village in Turkey, see Tahtacı, Burhaniye.

Tahtacı (meaning "woodworker"), are an Alevi Yörük ethnic subgroup living mainly in forestry areas of Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey, and engage woodworking since Ottoman Empire.

Origins

Main article: Oghuz Turks § Traditional tribal organization

Illustration of physical characteristics of male Tahtacı

Tahtaci originate from the Üçok (three arrows) Turkomans.

Settlement areas in Turkey

Tahtacis are mainly living in Adana, Mersin, Antalya, Denizli, Isparta, Burdur, Muğla, Aydın, İzmir, Manisa, Balıkesir, Çanakkale.
Villages in Antalya Province:

• Elmalı: Akçainiş
• Finike: Alacadağ, Arifköy, Gökbük
• Kumluca: Beşikçi, Hızırkahya, Toptaş
• Manavgat: Dolbazlar, Sağırin

Villages in Balıkesir Province:

• Balıkesir: Türkali
• Burhaniye: Pelitköy, Tahtacı, Taşçılar
• Edremit: Arıtaşı, Çamcı, Doyran, Hacıhasanlar, Kavlaklar, Kızılçukur, Mehmetalan, Poyratlı, Tahtakuşlar, Yassıçalı
• Kepsut: Mehmetler
• Savaştepe: Kongurca

Villages in Çanakkale Province:

• Çanakkale Province: Akçeşme, Aykınoba, Çiftlikdere, Damyeri, Daşbaşı, Değirmendere, Denizgöründü, Elmacık, Gürecik, Kayadere, Kemerdere, Yenimahalle
• Ayvacık: Bahçedere, Çakalini, Çiftlik, Durdağı, Güzelköy, Kokulutaş, Kıztaşı, Uzunalan
• Bayramiç: Güven, Karıncalı
• Ezine: Derbentbaşı, Eğridere, Koşuburun

Religion

Tahtacis are Alevi. However Shamanism is still practiced by the people. Tahtaci Turkomans put their favourite items and clothes their grave. Ahmad Yasawi and Pir Sultan Abdal are one of the most respected religious figures among Tahtacı.