Religious Life in Erzurum and Surrounding Villages (Book)

Religious Life in Erzurum and Surrounding Villages, written by Prof. Dr. Ünver Günay (1945–2022), a scholar conducting research in the field of sociology of religion, was published as part of Dergâh Yayınları’s “Erzurum Kitaplığı” series. The book examines religious life in Erzurum and its surrounding villages through the lens of sociology of religion and based on field research. The first edition, published in August 1999, consists of 293 pages.

Content and Thematic Structure

The book is structured to explore the relationship between religion and society. It operates on the fundamental assumption that religious life in Turkish society, including customs, traditions, and religious behaviors, cannot be analyzed independently of the social structure. The work is prepared using a methodology grounded in the sociology of religion and field research.

In the study, religious practices observed in Erzurum and its surrounding villages are analyzed under headings such as worship habits, religious ceremonies, popular beliefs, forms of religiosity, the social position of religious leaders, religious education, and the place of religious groups in social life. These topics are examined through data collected from field observations and interviews.

Scope and Contribution of the Research

The book is regarded as one of the early field studies conducted within the discipline of sociology of religion in Türkiye. Focusing on the Erzurum region, the study investigates the relationship between religious life and the social structure in a local context. The research findings present, within a sociological framework, the transformation of traditional elements in the face of modernization processes, the functions of religious institutions, and public perceptions of religion.

In this regard, the work provides data and analyses aimed at understanding the structure of religious life both regionally and generally. The functions of religion in the context of social change and how religion is experienced at the popular level constitute the central areas of investigation.

Method and Style

The study employs qualitative research methods and data collection techniques based on field research. The text is written in accordance with academic writing conventions, with scientific concepts clearly defined and analyses supported by theoretical frameworks. The author’s style offers an explanatory and systematic narrative without employing promotional or laudatory language. The book focuses on the direct presentation of data and analytical interpretations.

The Author’s Position and the Significance of the Work

Prof. Dr. Ünver Günay is one of the academics working in the field of sociology of religion in Türkiye. Religious Life in Erzurum and Surrounding Villages stands as a notable example in the relevant literature due to its foundation in field research and its sociological analysis of local religious life. The study can be referenced by researchers in fields such as sociology of religion, cultural anthropology, folklore, theology, and local history. The work offers empirical data of particular value to researchers seeking information on religious life in rural Türkiye.