THE SHAMANISM PHENOMENON AND THE GENETIC COMMONALITY OF THE POET-MINSTREL PARADIGMS Cover Image

ŞAMANLIK OLGUSU VE OZAN-ÂŞIK PARADİGMALARININ GENETİK ORTAKLIĞI
THE SHAMANISM PHENOMENON AND THE GENETIC COMMONALITY OF THE POET-MINSTREL PARADIGMS

Author(s): Ruşen Alizade
Subject(s): Cultural history, Customs / Folklore, History of Religion
Published by: Motif Halk Oyunları Eğitim ve Öğretim Vakfı
Keywords: Shamanism; archetype; poetship; the phenomenon of the minstrel; tradition;

Summary/Abstract: This paper discusses the concept of shamanism as an archetype and as coming from the phenomena of poetship and minstrelsy. There is an examination of shamanism as it has been reflected in Turkish cultural history, and the Turkic communities’ belief in shaman or shamans. This study analyzes the issues regarding shamans as religious and worldly guides, addresses the effect of their rituals and ceremonies, and investigates their progressive characteristics and roles in the re-emergence of old-world knowledge. The study emphasizes that the paradigms of poet and minstrel were nourished from a single source and it was concluded that the typological similarities within these paradigms were inspired by an archetypal layer. The study argues that it was a historical necessity to recognize that the phenomenon of shamanism directly affected poetship tradition and hence created the art of minstrelsy, and defines the specific factors which lead to the phase of minstrelsy. Additionally, arguments are made that the concept of travel played a role in both the shamanic world view and the creativity of the minstrel. It is noted that the phenomenon of minstrelsy included some traditional features, and that most of the sources related to the phenomenon in question are based on both a primitive and reconciling idea.

  • Issue Year: 13/2020
  • Issue No: 32
  • Page Range: 1361-1375
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Turkish