Turkism influence in Bosnian folk songs

Bosnian folk songs represent an important cultural heritage that deeply reflects the influence of Turkish-Islamic culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the establishment of Ottoman rule in Bosnia, the Bosnian people embraced Islam, and this process left profound traces in their folk music. Particularly, the sevdalinka genre, which deals with universal themes such as love, longing, and sorrow, also carries deep spiritual content shaped by Islamic values, Sufi teachings, and Ottoman culture. Songs like sevdalinka are significant works that reflect the spiritual world, social structure, and inner conflicts of the Bosnian people. The new identity shaped by the conversion to Islam is distinctly felt in these songs. The Sufi themes, love for the Prophet, and devotion to God present in the songs reflect the religious identity of the people and are deeply embedded in their cultural identity. Particularly, the transformation of religious texts like the Mevlid-i Şerif into folk songs clearly reveals the influence of Turkish-Islamic culture in the region. Bosnian folk songs also address social structure, societal values, and family relationships. The feudal system of the Ottoman period is reflected in folk music, illustrating the relationships between social strata and classes. These songs express not only individual emotions but also the cultural identity search and sense of belonging of the people. In this study, Bosnian folk songs will be examined through the lens of Turkish loanwords, and the messages conveyed through the cultural and religious common ground between the two societies will be analyzed.