Narrative and themes in Harput folk songs: From oral culture to music

This thesis examines the narrative structures and thematic elements found in the folk songs of the Harput and Elazığ region from the perspective of oral culture. The study is based on the premise that Harput folk songs are not merely musical artifacts but also serve as vessels of collective memory, cultural identity, and emotional expression. In this regard, the research aims to provide a narratological evaluation within the field of folk music and contribute an interdisciplinary perspective to both musicology and folklore studies. The research analyzes a corpus of 83 original folk songs from the Harput region included in the TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) repertoire. A qualitative research design was adopted, incorporating literature review for data collection and employing thematic analysis, narrative analysis, and content analysis for data interpretation. Each song was classified according to narrative types (direct, indirect, epic, dramatic, lyrical) and narrator perspective, and then grouped based on recurring themes. The most prominent themes identified include love and longing, migration and separation, heroism, and lamentation. In addition, the songs were evaluated from a musical perspective in terms of maqam (modal) structures, rhythmic patterns (usûl), performance practices, and oral transmission traditions. The findings indicate that Harput folk songs possess a multi-layered narrative structure, reflecting the historical, cultural, and emotional experiences of the local community. These songs function as expressions of both individual and collective memory, and as they transition from oral tradition to the modern musical stage, they largely retain their narrative power and cultural distinctiveness. Ultimately, the thesis presents a holistic analysis of the transmission processes, word-melody relationships, and narrative traditions that shape Harput's musical culture, highlighting the role of music as a powerful cultural carrier across generations. Keywords: Harput Folk Songs, Oral Culture, Narrative Types, Thematic Analysis, Cultural Memory