Abstract
BARIŞ MANÇO'S SONGS: THE ANCİENT VALUES OF TURKİSH CULTURE: SHARİNG AND SOLİDARİTY
Barış Manço is not merely a musician; he is also a storyteller of values and a cultural transmitter who has secured a place in the cultural memory of the Turkish people. Through the narratives embedded in his songs, he harmonized traditional values with contemporary musical forms. His works contribute not only to the construction of social consciousness but also to the continuity of cultural heritage. In this sense, Manço took on a multifaceted role as a bearer of cultural values and a social critic.
The present study is grounded in the lyrics of Barış Manço's songs. The cultural elements in his lyrics are nourished by folk narratives, idioms, and metaphors characteristic of traditional wisdom. This study thematically examines fundamental cultural values such as solidarity and sharing, halal income, hard work, contentment, and the understanding of nasip/kısmet. Solidarity highlights social cohesion in his works, while halal income and contentment reflect a traditional life philosophy. Manço’s use of language offers a pedagogically potent narrative that simultaneously addresses children, youth, and adults.
Artists like Barış Manço have strengthened cultural continuity despite the superficiality of popular culture. This study demonstrates how the traditional values of the Turkish nation are represented and reproduced through art, using the example of Barış Manço. It highlights the powerful role of art, particularly music, as a medium for value transmission and emphasizes that education is not confined to institutions but can reach broad audiences through art. Manço’s works present powerful narratives that reflect the cultural fabric of Turkish society, providing significant contributions to cultural continuity and values education.
Keywords
Barış Manço, cultural transmission, Turkish values, sharing, solidarity