Turkish Folklore

Overview of Early Turkish Folklore History (1840-1950)

Author: Arzu Öztürkmen
Source: Journal of Folklore Research, Indiana University Press
Published: May-August 1992, Volume 29, No. 2
Focus: Examines the evolution of Turkish nationalism and the role of folklore studies in the formation of Turkish identity during a time of significant political change.

Turkish identity emerged towards the end of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkish nationalism evolved significantly post-Republic founding in 1923, influenced by historical contexts and political ideologies.
Individuals and institutions played crucial roles in shaping folklore studies and national identity during this period.

The Ottoman Empire faced independence movements and territorial losses.
Economic challenges contrasted with developments in Western nations.
The Tanzimat Reform (1839) aimed to reorganize the empire but had limited success.
- Tanzimat: Means "reorganization;" key policies aimed at modernizing the Empire.
Various ideologies emerged in this context: Pan-Islamism, Ottomanism, Pan-Turkism, and Turanism aimed at defining the national identity of the Turkish populace amid nationalist movements.

Folklore concepts only gained significance after Western nationalism penetrated the Ottoman Empire.
Nationalist inspiration led to interest in literature, culture, and language as tools for uniting people.
Namiq Kemal (1840-88) and his ideas influenced the creation of a national culture connected to the emotions surrounding the concept of 0 vatan (fatherland).
- Emphasized the importance of a vernacular language to connect with the populace.
While Kemal depicted an ideal Ottoman society, he and others avoided rural, folk literature themes.

By the early 20th century, folkloric discussions became explicit, with museums and exhibitions promoting folk art.
Key Figures:
- Riza Tevfik Bolukbasi introduced the term "folklore" to Ottoman intellectual circles.
- Early publications on folklore by foreign scholars like Ignacz Kunos focused on regional literature.
Turkist Movement led to the alignment of folklore with Turkish national identity, primarily influenced by scholars like Ziya Gokalp and Yusuf Akcura.

Ziya Gokalp: Advocated for the intertwining of folklore with national identity.
- Defined cultural uniqueness concerning 0 halk (folk/people) and sought to purify the Turkish language from foreign elements.
Yusuf Akcura: Promoted Pan-Turkism and emphasized the need for cultural reforms in the Turkish world.
- His writings largely shaped early Turkism ideologies.

Under the Republic, institutions like Turk Tarihi Tetkik Cemiyeti (Turkish History Society) supported cultural initiatives.
People's Houses (Halkevleri): Established to promote cultural education and collect folklore from local populations, actively engaging rural citizens.
- By 1940, they expanded significantly, offering various educational services.
However, the political environment often suppressed genuine folklore expressions, as folklore was closely tied to nationalist ideologies.

The need for formal folklore education emerged, with the first independent folklore program established by Pertev Naili Boratav in 1947.
Boratav faced political pressures, eventually leading to the program's decline.
The eventual establishment of Milli Folklor Enstitusu (National Folklore Institute) in 1966 sought to address earlier shortcomings but remained under bureaucratic constraints.

Early Turkish folkloristics intertwined with political movements shaping Turkish identity.
Key themes emerged, such as vatan (fatherland) and halk (folk), gaining public popularity.
Republican intellectuals viewed rural folklore as pivotal to constructing a national identity.
Ultimately, the state’s interference limited the independence and growth of folklore studies, leading to the dissolution of institutions like the People's Houses.