BALIKESİR VE ÇEVRESİNDEKİ YATIRLARI FONKSİYONLARI AÇISINDAN BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Some religious performances done around the entombed saints in Turkish culture
have gathered attention. In Balıkesir province, the entombed saints are visited under the
name of "grandfather" or 'father". It is observed that the people from this province come
and visit these entombed saints to perform their prayers. Like all other entombed saints,
those around Balıkesir province have some essential features which have both special and
general significances. Among them, birth, marriage, and curing diseases can be mentioned.
In this study, we will deal with fifty-five entombed saints found around Balıkesir
province. Besides their functions, their religious performances will also be discussed. The
performances coming from shamanism until our present time will be examined as well.