Traces of Cultural and Life Elements in Folk Songs: The Case of Malatya City

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the representation of the traditional culture and life elements of Malatya, a city with a deep-rooted history, within its folk songs. In the study, a literature review was conducted on concepts such as art, music, Turkish Folk Music, culture, literature, oral tradition, vocabulary, life elements, folk songs, Malatya, and Malatya folk songs. Although various studies on Malatya folk songs have been conducted, no comprehensive research focusing on the cultural and life elements within these regional songs has been encountered. In line with the study’s objective, symbols, motifs, concepts, and narratives were identified and analyzed in 225 folk songs from Malatya included in the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) repertoire. In this descriptive study, the data were analyzed through document analysis. The folk songs of the region were classified based on cultural and life elements. The headings of cultural and life elements identified in the region's folk songs include: natural events-disasters, weddings-ceremonies, clothing-attire, beliefs, agricultural activities-livelihood-animals, transportation-communication, living spaces, food-drink, and professions. The findings suggest that the folk songs are closely tied to the local texture. Consequently, the use of regional folk songs in educational institutions could be considered as an option for the transmission of cultural heritage.