Uzbek folk beliefs

The act of believing is based on the desire to ensure the continuity of life. Beliefs have existed since primitive times and are considered as unwritten rules of society. Changes in history, economy, social life, religion and culture have played an important role in shaping beliefs. Beliefs that are considered sacred play an important role in keeping the spiritual values of the society alive. Folk beliefs consist of verbal rules that society is believed to follow. It is known that if these rules are not followed, a sense of fear, anxiety or worry will arise in the society. At the point where the practices are abandoned, it is accepted from the beginning that supernatural forces may intervene and impose certain sanctions. Therefore, the idea that folk beliefs should be implemented in accordance with the rules has been accepted. This idea often manifests itself in Uzbek folk narratives. The folk beliefs that are processed in the narratives, which ensure the continuity of life and guide it, have updated themselves by repeating themselves from past to present and have strengthened their sanctioning power in society. The subject of the thesis is folk beliefs related to transitional periods, seasonal, animal husbandry, places, national clothing, ceremonial food and visiting phenomena. The traces of the origins of the beliefs living in the past among Uzbeks, especially in Tashkent, Fergana, Bukhara and Samarkand, were investigated and their relationship with other belief systems was examined. The beliefs formed around the concept of sacred were evaluated with structural and functional folklore theories. While the traces of the starting points of the beliefs were investigated, some determinations were made about their current situation. It has been observed that the traces of the belief systems that Uzbek society has adopted since the past live in belief examples. Important results have been obtained at the point of emphasising the regulatory function of these beliefs, social sanctions, the importance of preserving and maintaining tradition. In the thesis, the Uzbek society's embrace of folk beliefs and their adherence to their traditions are emphasised.