Community-Based Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage: An Ethnographic Study of the Gezek Tradition in Rural Türkiye

The aim of this study is to contribute to the safeguarding of the “Gezek tradition” that has continued from the past to the present during the month of Ramadan in the districts and villages of Çanakkale province, as an intangible cultural heritage element by revealing its unique characteristics and variations across villages. For this purpose, during Ramadan 2026, Gezek gatherings in different districts and villages of Çanakkale were attended to investigate the dishes prepared, the individuals responsible for hosting the gatherings, the organization of the events and the local rules governing the tradition. Photographs and field notes were used to document the Gezek gatherings, and nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with village headmen and individuals who had experience hosting Gezek gatherings. Participant observations focused on the organisation of the gatherings, hosting practices, food preparation and serving, community participation, financial arrangements, and local practices. Within the scope of the research, two district centres and seven villages were visited. The information obtained from the research was analysed using content analysis. Research findings indicate that the Gezek tradition persists in Ayvacık and Ezine, even though its organizational structure has evolved over time. Participants noted that while Gezek gatherings were historically hosted on a rotating basis among households, rising economic costs have led to a shift toward voluntary hosting in recent years. The findings also reveal that local economic conditions influence both the financing of the gatherings and the food served. Despite these changes, community participation, hospitality, traditional cuisine, and social solidarity remain defining characteristics of the Gezek tradition. By documenting the Gezek tradition across different rural settlements, this study provides original field-based evidence of how a locally sustained Ramadan tradition adapts to changing economic conditions while maintaining community participation, culinary practices and social solidarity.