Abstract
AN ANALYSIS OF FOLK BELIEFS CENTERED ON THE GOOSE IN KARS AND BALIKESIR
Belief is integral components that shape the sociocultural, socioeconomic and psychosocial structures of societies. In this sense, belief reflects the worldview and life philosophy of communities. The human perception of nature as a living entity plays a significant role in the formation and evolution of beliefs. Throughout history of humanity, natural phenomena have consistently aroused human curiosity, which has contributed to the development of various beliefs. Particularly, folk beliefs have emerged from the relationship between human and nature. At the core of folk beliefs lies the emotion of fear, which has helped preserve them within specific patterns. As humans have lived in close connection with nature, they have incorporated many natural elements into their belief systems, chief among these are animals. Especially, birds have drawn human interest and carry symbolic meanings in folk beliefs. And often associated with either positive or negative traits, birds hold a special place in traditional beliefs. The goose, as a species of bird familiar and physically close to humans, is no exception. Within this context, the goose occupies a noteworthy position in cultural memory. This study examines how the goose is reflected in the folk beliefs of Kars and Balikesir regions from the folklor perspective.
Keywords
Belief, folk beliefs, Kars, Balikesir, goose.