TRAVAILLER OU MUTUALISER LES PRODUCTIONS GRÂCE AUX TICE
By Narmin Ahmadova (A lecture at Ege university, C4 study travel)
OUTPUT 4:43 – TURKISH LESSONS AGAINTS FEAR
There are many beliefs and narratives abour demonic beings in Azerbaijani folklore. These beliefs and narratives show similiar aspects with Turks who live in Eastern Anatolia, Caucasia and Iran. The beliefs and entities which I will mention in this speech are also seen in this region or Turkish World with similiar or different names.
In Azerbaijani and Eastern Anatolia, demonic beings are usually named as “bizden yeyler, kara iyeler.” These beings are considered as the spirits of nature and described as evil and scary.
In this speech, I will mention first about demonic creatures in Azebaijani folklore, then current fears of Azerbaijani youth.
Even today, it is forbidden to pass under some trees at night. As an example, it is believed that a being called Vurgun lives under fig trees. Vurgun attack to people who pass under or come closer to fig trees, puts them out or kills them. Similiar beliefs exist the same way in Turkey abour djinns.
There are beliefs about a creature called Hortlak in Turkey. In Azerbaijan, the name of this being is Xortdan. Sinners transform into Xortdan when they die and they rise from their graves to hurt people. With this belief, it is aimed to prevent people to commit sins.
There ara beliefs about a demonic entity in Azerbaijan named Kaftar. This entity is known throughout the Turkish World as cadı (witch), cazui or similiar names. Kaftar is a female sorcerer who eats human flesh. Old women who are known to commit many evil acts are called “kaftar” in some parts of Azerbaijan. Known as “kuşkaftar” among Daghistan Turks, this entity is an intimidation tool to prevent people from getting involved with things which are forbidden according to religion, such as magic. Kaftar and Kuşkaftar can be considered as vampires.
Another demonic entitiy in Azerbaijan is Karabasan. It is also known as Karabasma, Karabastı or Karakura. It is a common demonic entity in the entire Turkish World. It hurts people in their sleep. It comes as a nightmare while people are sleeping and try to kill them. Karabasan is actually the symbol of nightmare and death, and the expression of fear of them.
In Azerbaijan, there is a special entity who leads people astray and it’s called Gulyabani. Gulyabani appears as a tall, thin woman. Sometimes it is described as a man. It drives people insane and attacks people who travel at night. Gulyabani usually used for scaring children. It is said to the children who misbehave that Gulyabani will come and kidnap them.
Just like Şubat Karısı of Turkey, there is Kuyu Kızı (Well Girl) in Azerbaijan. To prevent children from approaching wells, they are told “Kuyu Kızı will pull you into the well.” Another such creature in Azerbaijan is Ecinne. Misbehaving children are told “Ecinne will come and take you away.” Ecinne’s appearance is terrifying and it sometimes appears in an animal form.
Azerbaijan’s counterpart of Turkey’s Al Karısı is a creature named Şeşe. Şeşe attacks to women who recently gave birth and wants to take away newly born babies at night. Şeşe tries to enter the new born babies’ houses and if it ever flies over a baby, that baby becomes purple and dies. In order to protect babies from Şeşe, people in Azerbaijan put evil eye talisman around the baby. In truth, Şeşe is the fear of new born baby’s sudden death.
So what is the recent troubles and fears of the youth of Azerbaijan? Azerbaijan gained it’s independence after the collapse of Soviet Union in 90’s and it still has many unsolved problems. One of them is the low quality of education system. The reason beyond this problem is that young people don’t want to become teachers, because teacher’s salary in Azerbaijan is too low for life level. Teachers in secondary schools, high schools and the universities don’t want to improve themselves and because this, instead of teaching students, they prefer to be bribed by them.
Students don’t have enough practical education during their university life and after the graduation, they have difficulties about finding a job since both private companies and govermental institutions don’t hire inexperienced people in the applied area. It is the sad truth that many educated people left the country because of financial crisis.
Libraries in Azerbaijan are few in numbers. The books that we need are also few. Youth has many great fears and troubles in Azerbaijan such as teaching of a sport isn’t free, culturel centers aren’t numerous and youth aren’t encounraged to spend time there, freedom of speech doesn’t exists and there are no proper occupation for recreation. Lastly, due to the continuing financial crisis, the increase in suicide rate amoung young people is also among the facts that draw attention.
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