Local Meteorology
LOCAL
METEOROLOGY
Meteorology: It
is a science dealing with all events in atmosphere and changes related with
these events. Events in atmosphere may be listed as pressure, temperature, precipitation,
evaporation, cloud and cloudiness, sunny and windy conditions.
In
communities without sufficient technical equipment and technology, rate of ability
to forecast atmospheric phenomena by means of local experience, observation
and forecasts based on centuries has reached a level which can be said higher.
In communities that depend upon natural events in their living, cultural inheritance,
experience and accumulation of knowledge related with weather forecasts take
an important place within the cultural integrity. Such kind of communities,
in methods of weather forecasts mostly acquired from their ancestors, have been
mistaken very little. Nature where struggle for living has been done could be
cruel and destructive. Therefore in communities with traditional structure,
elimination of inadequacy, weakness against nature has been possible through
forecasting traps prepared by nature for human beings. Particularly in communities
dealing with fishery, considering rate of accuracy in weather forecasting, importance
of atmospheric phenomena in their life will be understood better. To forecast
weather condition at least before setting out for fishing or immigration is
the main support for proceeding their life.
In
traditional communities it has been observed that such practices as sanctification,
ritual, ceremony, etc. have been performed for the purpose of dominating natural
phenomena.
Such
kind of Communities have cited natural phenomena which had been effective in
their life by the type of effect inflicted thereon. The best example of this
is shown in some of names of wind : e.g. “Çanak gurudan” ( Wind drying a pot),
“Macuk gıran”, “Moza gıran”, etc.
Sun,
Moon and other stars which can be seen and observed at different regions in
different time segments have been the symbol of preciseness and periodic cycle
in their long-term observations. This is why the sky has become the center of
all events constituting the basis for all known forecasts. In various regions
people have given different names for celestial bodies, and sought the most
effective mysteries in them. The star called “Ülker” is the best example of
this. In some regions it is believed that plants and animals will suffer damage
by effect of the star called “Ülker” particularly in Summer. Various protective
measures have been taken in order to be protected from ill-effect of this star.
In
the field of Local Meteorology (folk) another incident which institute an example
for knowledge and experience of people is however days of “Eyyam-ı bahur”.
“Eyyam-ı bahur” is the name given for the hottest days of the year accepted
by people as the first week of the month of August. Our people believe that
depending on certain beliefs various operations must be performed on these
hottest days on which sun light is very effective. The beliefs and operations
have been concentrated specifically on plants.