trk dergisi

The Place and Role of Natural Elements in Primitive Concepts in Turkish and Scandinavian Mythologies

Hasan SAĞLAM — 2025-06-28

The article focuses on a typological comparison of cosmogonic elements found in the mythology of Turkish and Scandinavian peoples. The research highlights several common mythological elements, particularly symbols such as the tree, mountain, sea, water, and the fruit of life, which appear in both traditions. The aim is to explore the socio-psychological aspects of the worldviews of primitive peoples. The functions of these cosmogonic elements are analyzed within the mythological thought of both cultures.

It has been shown that the tree cult represents the triple model of the world in both mythologies, symbolizing wisdom, prosperity, and creation. Additionally, the totemic significance of the tree and its role as a shamanic symbol in Turkish mythology are clarified. The study also examines the mountain cult in both traditions, revealing a stronger totemistic connection to the mountain in Turkish mythology compared to Scandinavian beliefs. The mountain is also seen as a sacred space where one can reach the gods.

Furthermore, the fruit of eternal life is present in both mythologies, often symbolized by apples, and is believed to grant immortality as a gift from the gods. The research also uncovers the sacred nature of iron as a cosmogonic element in both Turkish and Scandinavian traditions. To identify these cosmogonic elements, the study references texts such as the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, along with examples from the Kalevala, a Finno-Ugric epic.

The study also compares Turkish epics like the Dede Korkut and Maaday Kara, drawing parallels to the ancient texts of both cultures. Based on these findings, the similarities between these cosmogonic elements are typological, reflecting the socio-psychological foundations of the worldview shared by these peoples.

“Çankırı Yaran Sohbetleri”nin Kavramsal ve Kurumsal Tanımı, Günümüzdeki Durumu

Kadir ÇAYIR — 2025-06-28

This study discusses Anatolian yaran gatherings that are kept alive in many regions of Turkey with similar or different names and contents. It is seen that yaran gatherings came to Anatolia from Central Asia and took shape in Anatolia, and that they are only present in the thoughts that associate them with the "Ahilik" culture. It is a Turkish cultural mosaic that has important contributions to the transfer of Turkish Folk Music culture to generations, where music is at the forefront, where members/individuals are educated with a certain understanding of discipline, where cooperation, social solidarity, literature, local folk dances, traditional improvised theatre as well as entertainment are included, and which is kept alive in the context of traditions and customs. In yaran gatherings, which are the most important cultural symbol of Çankırı, Traditional Folk Music and Traditional Art Music instruments and musical forms are used together, and these practices are carried out in the form of a collective singing tradition within a "fasıl" understanding. In the study that mentions Çankırı Yaren/Yaran Gatherings, which have an exceptional place in Anatolian gatherings; The meaning of the words “Yaren/Yaran”, their origins, their unique traditions, what they mean in the region, their social equivalents, their analogues in Anatolia, their past and present status have been discussed. In this context, a comparison has been made, and evaluations and suggestions have been put forward on living elements. As a method, data have been examined and determinations have been made in the context of literature review and field work (research) on the subject. In the field work, the “observation” method has been used.

İnnovative foundations for the formation of creative abilities of primary school students in "Life skills" lessons

Ülviyyə VERDIYEVA — 2025-06-28

The article discusses the innovative foundations of the work on the formation of creative abilities of primary school students in Life Science lessons of secondary schools. It is shown that in order to form the creative abilities of primary school students in Life Science lessons, it is necessary to take a purposeful approach to the formation of students' creative abilities by using a number of innovative tools, including all types of information and communication technologies. In this case, it is necessary to use the work system on meta-competences. The necessity of using competencies based on critical thinking, pedagogical innovations, logical thinking, and creative thinking is also noted.

In the process of teaching Life Science in primary schools, students become more familiar with life events, gain vital knowledge, and also acquire a number of creative abilities. For this, primary school teachers teaching Life Science should take a purposeful approach to correctly identifying the innovative foundations of the problem. Because it is possible to successfully implement the work of revealing, developing and forming the creative abilities of primary school students in Life Science lessons with the power of innovative foundations. For this, primary school teachers should first of all prefer to rely on their own competencies.

Considering that primary school teachers, during the formation of students' creative abilities in the process of teaching Life Science, it is of great importance for class teachers to establish exemplary communication, effectively use computer technologies, use the power of pedagogical innovations when listening to musical works, take a correct approach to the presentation of mugham performance, integrate Life Science with other subjects, and use such competencies as socialization of the class and students.

An Analysis Essay on Karacaoğlan’s Race

Umut ERDOĞAN — 2025-06-28

This article provides a detailed analysis of a koşma by 17th-century folk poet Karacaoğlan in terms of poetic language, imagery, themes, and cultural background. In the koşma, which consists of four quatrains, themes such as love, longing, separation, loyalty, melancholy, and folk culture come to the forefront, while the poet's personal emotions are elevated to a level of universal sensitivity. Each quatrain conveys a different emotional intensity: the first quatrain deals with the pain of separation and tears; the second with mourning and longing; the third with reproach in the face of potential disloyalty; and the fourth explores the relationship between love and fate, along with the metaphor of death.

The article emphasizes that Karacaoğlan is not only a folk poet but also a cultural transmitter who carries collective memory, based on folk idioms and images found in the poem (such as zülfü perişan, ala gözlüm, kudret kalemi, bade, melil melil, etc.). The expression melil melil is interpreted as a key element that bears the emotional weight of the poem, while metaphors such as the black-white contrast, bade, and kudret kalemi are also examined.

Solutions to Sexual Problems and Sexual Life Advice in the Context of Folk Medicine in Risale-i-Tıb

Assoc. Dr. Fatih KAYA — 2025-06-28

This study examines the aspects of sexual life and solutions to sexual problems found in the medical book Risâle fi’t-Tıb, an Ottoman-era work that forms the basis of our published book, An Anonymous Medical Book: Risâle fi’t-Tıb (Introduction-Notes-Transliterated Text-Vocabulary). In this context, the sections related to sexuality in Risâle fi’t-Tıb have been analyzed in detail within the framework of folk medicine.

The study first defines the concept of folk medicine and provides a brief summary of how folk medicine practices have evolved throughout history across different geographies and societies. Following this, information is provided on the Bahname books, which are works containing discussions on sexuality within the Islamic world and the Ottoman realm. Subsequently, the study focuses on the sexual life advice, sexual health problems, and their solutions as presented in Risâle fi’t-Tıb. The book covers topics such as types of sexual intercourse, indicators of a healthy relationship, methods for determining gender, and appropriate times for sexual activity. Additionally, preventive, supportive, and therapeutic methods for maintaining sexual health are discussed. The text also provides information on foods that enhance or reduce sexual desire, nutrients that increase semen production, infertility diagnosis methods, and techniques to either facilitate or prevent pregnancy.

This study contributes to understanding the historical development of sexual health practices within folk medicine and allows for a comparison between traditional and modern medical approaches. While analyzing how different societies have historically approached sexual health, it also evaluates the contemporary relevance of traditional treatment methods. One of the main objectives of this study is to establish the cultural significance of folk medicine practices and to examine them based on scientific principles.

The Semiotics of the Hat: Exploring the Symbolism and Cultural Significance of Hats in Art

Melek AKYÜREK — 2025-06-28

This article aims to explore the representations of the hat—one of the oldest and most multi-layered cultural symbols in human history—within the context of art history. Starting from the notion that clothing is not merely a means of covering the body, but also a medium of identity, belonging, status, and personal expression, the hat is examined as a visual carrier of these meaning systems. The functional transformations of the hat throughout history are discussed: as a symbol of sanctity and authority in antiquity; as a marker of social hierarchy in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; as an indicator of class affiliation in the 18th and 19th centuries; and as an emblem of identity fragmentation and solitude in the modern era.

In the context of art history, the hat is analyzed through the works of artists such as Piero della Francesca, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vigée Le Brun, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas, Matisse, Hopper, Magritte, Ensor, and Kirchner. These analyses reveal that the hat functions not merely as an accessory but also as a visual narrative element that reflects the relationship between the individual and society, the construction of femininity, inner conflicts, and aesthetic strategies. Ultimately, the study concludes that in art, the hat is not simply a garment covering the head, but a complex semiotic device carrying identity, ideology, emotion, and narrative.