Cazi memorates and motif analysis in Artvin supernatural narratives

Artvin is a culturally rich province owing to its geographical location. Cultural wealth is tried to be passed down and kept alive by family elders from generation to generation. However, advances in technology weaken family ties. Increasingly forgotten traditions, customs and folk narratives are about to disappear. The aim of this thesis is to classify and evaluate memorates that are a part of our oral expression tradition compiled in Artvin and its districts. In order to prevent the destruction of folk tales and supernatural narratives, which are indispensable for long winter nights, a compilation has been made in large environment. Accordingly, Artvin city center and its districts were visited. In case of need, some villages were visited and a compilation was made from reference people. About 200 compilations were made from approximately 185 reference people and the compiled texts were divided into sections and classified according to their subjects. The reference people and texts reached were below the targeted number. This is because the family elders were not alive or the second third generation forgot what was told. The data obtained as a result of the compilations were evaluated and as a result of the evaluation, memorates were classified according to their subjects and the practices made were explained under each heading. Although it differs from region to region, expressions of alkarası, gin and cazı are close to each other. Although some changes are seen with the imagination of people and word of mouth, the practices for protection are almost the same. The effects of religious features before and after Islam were observed in memorates. As a result of the common culture, memorates seen frequently in Artvin and its surroundings have shown that there are expressions with similar characteristics in Anatolia. It has been determined that memorates, which contain the elements of tradition, belief and culture, have a moral and social directional effect on the society. Key Words: Myth, Legend, Memorate, Artvin and its Surroundings, Cazı/ Cazi, Folk Narratives, Compilation