ABSTRACT
Ahilik has emerged as an institution that regulated the trade life of Anatolia for many years. With its economic, social, cultural, and moral effects, ahilik has created a work ethic and solidarity culture that embraces the whole society, emphasizing that trade is not only about material gains. The ethical issues encountered in global trade today necessitate a reevaluation of the ahilik tradition. Mudurnu stands out as an important district aiming to preserve the tradition of ahilik in the present day. Indeed, Mudurnu was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Temporary List in 2015 as “Mudurnu Historical Ahi Town: Witnesses of Ahilik (Bolu)”. In this context, interviews were held with 8 people from Mudurnu tradesmen. The research aims to investigate to what extent the ahilik organization, known to continue in Mudurnu, has been transmitted to the present day. In the study, it is understood that the ahilik tradition is still effective in the current trade environment in Mudurnu; however, some changes have been observed. Although diminished compared to the past, it has been determined that the understanding of ahilik and the associated rituals are still being attempted to be maintained in the district. It is understood that the interviewed tradesmen still organize their trades according to the ahilik understanding. However, the decrease in the master-apprentice relationship has negatively affected the transmission of the ahilik tradition to the new generation. This study presents an original contribution to the literature by evaluating the current situation of the ahilik tradition in Mudurnu.