Camel is one of the sacred animals that has existed in the lives of Turks since pre-Islamic times and has a mythological characteristic. Being a significant means in the Arabic life tradition, camels became even more important among the Turks after the acceptance of Islam. Intercultural interaction, verses related to camels in the Koran, active use of camels during the period of Mohammed, and pilgrimage on camels for a certain period have increased the importance of camels among Turks. In addition, camels played a key role in transportation and facilitated people's work, making them more privileged than other animals.The features such as being able to carry a lot of loads and being an animal resistant to thirst and heat have also been instrumental in the use of camels among nomads. Today, camels are also precious for the people of Alanya who maintain the Yuruks tradition. During the times when the means of transport were nonexistent, Yuruks used to provide transportation through camels. Migrations and commercial journeys that took days were made on camels. The active role of camels in the lives of nomads has made camels special and meaningful. People have felt a deep respect and fondness for camels that are qualified as sacred animals. Camels have been considered protective animals and imagined as saints and angels. People have produced different words according to a camel’s age and sex. Camels have been included in folk literature products ranging from Turkish poems to myths. Hair, meat, milk, urine, stool, saliva, and bones of camels have been considered valuable, and these things have been used in the treatment of a variety of illnesses. In this study, the place and importance of camel in Alanya folk culture are mentioned. In folk literature products, folk medicine, folk beliefs, Alanya plays, and issues related to camels are included. In addition, today, the usage areas of camel in Alanya are mentioned. In addition to written sources, information obtained from the source people was revealed as a result of the compilation study.

Keywords
Alanya, camel folk culture, Yuruks