FOLKLORE ELEMENTS AMONG THE AHISKA TURKS OF THE ARTVİN REGION
The study is based on identifying the socio-cultural structures of the Ahiska Turks, who have lived in the Artvin region within the borders of Turkey for about a century, and revealing the elements of folklore that have survived to the present day. The general aim of the study is to pioneer efforts to identify and preserve the elements of folklore of the Ahiska Turks, who came to Artvin as exiles within the Turkish cultural structure. The method chosen for the study was field research, involving direct communication with individuals. Thirty elderly individuals living in the region were identified as sources of information. Elderly individuals were specifically chosen as sources in order to obtain more reliable information. The number of individuals was limited to ten from each district. The folklore elements observed and collected included religion, language, health, cuisine, beliefs, children’s games, folk songs, ballads, and changes in these areas. This study, which collected the folklore elements of the Ahiska Turks in the Artvin region, revealed that sociocultural elements are passed down from generation to generation. It was determined that verbal and nonverbal cultural elements passed down from older to younger generations are consciously transmitted by older individuals, thereby preserving their culture. The Ahiska Turks, who owe their identity to their culture, demonstrate and practice folklore elements through learning by doing and living.
Keywords: Folklore Elements, Ahiska Turks, Ethnic Origin, Culture
