Fıeld Farmıng in the Agrıcultural Structure of the Hotamış Turkmen in 1854-1855

This article examines the field agriculture of the Hotamış Turkmen people who transitioned from nomadic to settled life between the years 1844-1845. The social and geographical structures influencing the agricultural production of the Hotamış Turkmen people are identified and discussed. The social and geographical structure holds significant importance in the agricultural history of Turkey as well. In this article focusing on the years 1844-1845 for the Hotamış Turkmen people, their engagement in field agriculture to such an extent, considering their previous nomadic lifestyle primarily focused on animal husbandry, should be appreciated given the conditions of that time. It can be anticipated that daily needs and government policies encouraging such activities played a role in this shift. The reasons for not expanding cultivation further can be attributed to cultural habits, as well as the impact of ecological factors such as the continental climate, topography of the settled area, and soil quality. Additionally, due to Hotamış Lake, they engaged in production activities related to internal trade, such as using reeds for thatching (roof covering, floor mat, sheepfold construction, preservation of dairy products), and fishing. Within this tradition, they used woven wool sacks for storing products obtained from field agriculture and a type of tent called "Geri" laid out on a Çergeli horse-drawn cart for transportation, especially to nearby places next to the camel. In years of surplus production, they also utilized a silo-like storage technique termed "Hermetic Depot" for preserving and storing products.