Selami Münir Yurdatap and folklore

In the early 20th century, changes occur in many areas Turkey. Reform movements, which deeply affect social, cultural and political life, also find their echo in the world of literature. During this period, oral cultural products widely popular among the public were transcribed into writing by many authors. Folk books, which were read with great interest by the public, began to be published in Türkiye beginning from the first half of the 19th century. In the early years of the Republic, folk books were used as a tool by supporters of National Literature to teach reading and writing to the public and disseminate civil knowledge. One of the authors actively involved in publishing folk books to reach the masses was Selami Münir Yurdatap (1911-1987). Selami Münir Yurdatap, who initially gained recognition in the literary world through newspaper articles and translations, was one of the most productive writers of his time. The publications of the author, who managed to produce numerous works throughout his 60-year artistic life, hold significant importance for studies related to folk science. The development that made him known in this field was his efforts to modernize folk books. Thus, Selami Münir became one of the writers aiming to make folk narratives, which were widespread in both oral and written cultural environments in the early years of the Republic, accessible to broader audiences. Yurdatap employs different methods in the folk books he prepares, utilizing stone-printed copies (taş baskı nüshalar). These folk books encompass various genres such as folk tales, fairy tales, religious stories, and epic narratives (dinî-cengî hikâyeler). He lengthens or shortens the events in the folk books in line with his purpose. The author intervenes in folk books in a manner consistent with the period and tradition in which the narratives originated. He also tries to produce a new narrative by making his own style active. İn this study, the changes and transformations that took place in the folk books that Yurdatap rewrote / produced based on manuscripts and lithographs were examined. İn addition, the author has been evaluated in all aspects by focusing on his popular novels and stories and works with religious content, as well as his activities in periodicals.