Mythological Folk Songs in Macedonian Culture

Mythological Folk Songs

Abstract

When Turkish mythology is mentioned, mythological stories, legends, epics and the like generally come to mind. However, unlike Turkish mythology, songs and dances are found in the mythologies of various cultures around the world. Contrary to what is customary in Turkish mythology, songs and dance depictions are quite common in different cultures. The problematic of this study is the folk songs in Macedonian myths. In other words, mythological folk songs are discussed in the sample of mythology, which is a part of Macedonian folklore and culture. In this study, scanning, translation and analysis were used as methods. Macedonian myths were scanned and “mythological folk songs” in their own words were extracted. The Macedonian mythological songs quoted in the study were tried to be analysed in line with the findings. The legends, beliefs and their human and non-human characters in the Macedonian mythological songs provide basic and detailed information about the structure of Macedonian mythology. The background of each song in Macedonian mythology is described in detail, together with its beliefs and depiction. The structure of the characters, their appearance and the places where they live are also described in detail. The relationship and communication of supernatural creatures with humans is also mentioned. Among these, the main characters are the fairies who are rewarded with extraordinary abilities, the snake figure that embodies benefit and harm at the same time, and the dragon, a demonic creature symbolising evil. In addition, with the findings of the symbolic structure in mythology, the reflections of mythological symbols in today's Macedonia have been investigated and tried to be revealed. Old superstitions that no longer find a place in the belief system and transformed were also tried to be identified. The subject is supported with visual material in order to explain the reflections of historical personalities and mythological beliefs mentioned in the texts. It is an unexpected and important feature that among the Macedonian mythological folk songs, songs related to Turkishness and songs with the special name of Istanbul are encountered.