A comparative study on the Sudanese folk tales and Turkish folk tales

ABSTRACT Folktales are traditional narratives passed down orally or in writing. While they possess a universal quality, they also exhibit differences based on the unique customs, traditions, and cultural characteristics of each nation. This study has been prepared with the aim of conducting a comparative analysis of Turkish and Sudanese folk tales and seeks to reveal the possible cultural connections between the two communities through the folktales. In this study, which examines the similarities and differences between Turkish and Sudanese folktales in detail, the general framework of the folktale concept in both cultures is first outlined. Subsequently, the episodes of the folktales are analyzed, with a focus on the tale characters, settings, objects used, and formal elements. Additionally, the study evaluates Turkish and Sudanese folktales within the context of functional folklore theory and includes Turkish translations of Sudanese folktales for comparative analysis. Keywords: Folktales, Turkish and Sudanese folktales, Comparative analysis, Functional folklore studies, Translated texts