Bafra Nokul As A City Image

Abstract

Images that are the product of social memory reflect the originality of a nation as natural or processed. Images, which gain more meaning in the globalizing world, have made it compulsory to benefit from them in different areas besides carrying the cultural heritage to the future. Uniformization in the world has increased the interest and awareness of local and original products; in this way, culture-based production activities have gained importance for purposes such as social welfare, employment and economic benefit. The practices that started locally and regionally gained value primarily as the images of the region to which they belong, and these were sometimes included in the world cultural heritage by UNESCO as the heritage of the countries.

Bafra, which is the largest of Samsun’s out-of-center districts, stands out with its fertile lands, rich agricultural activities and vibrant commercial life. It is seen that a rich social memory from past to present is dominant in the district, which is located very close to Samsun and where a modern urban atmosphere prevails. It has a rich cultural heritage with its pita, nokul, delight with, ice cream, festivities and festivals, historical and architectural works. It is seen that these products, each of which can be the image of Bafra, do not find the value they deserve.

In our study, Bafra nokul, which is locally referred to as a dessert without sherbet, has been discussed as an element of cuisine culture. After the origin of the word was searched, a description was given in line with the knowledge of the people who determined the traditional view of nokul in the region. The main features of the traditional product, such as thinning the dough, not using margarine, using walnuts and grapes as filling materials, and dispersing them in the mouth while eating, are the prominent features of nokul. It has been observed that nokul has been known in the city center of Bafra and the villages for a long time and may have a history of about 150 years. While it was an indispensable product of holidays in the past, today it has gained an important place in the socio-cultural life of Bafra as a part of the tradition of hosting guests, treats on certain days and giving gifts. Recently, it has found a place in the cultural economy with the opening of delight with cream and nokul production facilities and women’s employment in this field. With the works of individual and various institutions, it is about to become the city image of Bafra. Being the image of Bafra also means also being the image of Samsun. In this sense, the province also has various efforts.

Although the studies carried out have been effective in keeping nokul alive and spreading it in the local context, various projects and breakthroughs are needed in the process of nationalization and branding. In this context, the promotion of nokul should be made in some activities and festivals held in the district and in the region, and then an identity and belonging to this local product should be gained through country-wide studies. Moving common memory products like nokul to the field of culture industry will fulfill a great function in terms of recognizing the local and carrying the originality to the future in the globalizing world.