A study on cosmological elements in Turkic world's folk songs

From ancient times to the present, Turkish folk songs, which have been the voice of the emotions and thoughts of the Turkish people, possess a unique creation characterized by the rich elements of Turkish culture they embody. These folk songs are a precious expression of the Turkish people's stance towards life, conveyed through words and melodies. In the broadest sense, they serve as a bridge that connects generations from the past to the present, uniting them in a shared sentiment. With their distinctive structure and the melody that sets them apart from other genres, these enduring folk songs are significant creations of Turkish folk art, particularly those that encompass Turkish mythology and the beliefs and phenomena rooted in it. Turkish mythology and its subset, Turkish cosmology, have been shaped by the unique worldview and accumulated wisdom of the Turkish people in interpreting the universe, the world (earth, sky, and other entities/objects, etc.). This distinct approach differentiates Turkish cosmology from the cosmologies of other nations. The Turks have preserved their mythological and cosmological beliefs through symbols, icons, and motifs, ensuring their survival to the present day. It should be remembered that in mythology, cosmic knowledge is always perpetuated through the transformation into symbols and icons, which have reached us today through these symbols, icons, and motifs. It is evident that uncovering the phenomena related to Turkish mythology in general, and Turkish cosmology in particular, and the ways these phenomena are reflected in folk songs will greatly contribute to the shared culture, memory, and consciousness of the Turkic world. Therefore, this study comprehensively examines the elements, phenomena, and motifs related to Turkish cosmology, a significant part of Turkish mythology, within the folk songs of the Turkic World. Detailed examples of folk songs from both Turkey and other Turkic regions are meticulously analyzed, aiming to contribute to the shared culture of the Turkic World.