The Ethnolinguistic Representation of Folk Spiritual Culture in the Native-Language Poetry of M. Shahriyar

Abstract

This research explores the philosophical and socio-cultural essence of proverbs, maxims, and folk idioms utilized in M. Shahriyar’s “Heydarbabaya Salam” and his other mother-tongue poems. The study provides a detailed analysis of specific folk expressions, such as “Kor tutduğun buraxmaz”, which is interpreted as a symbol of persistent protest against social oppression, and “İynə bəzər xalqı, özü lüt gəzər”, evaluated as a profound artistic reflection of social inequality and the hardships of rural life. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to investigating elements of folk epics (dastans), traditional fairy tales, and the intricate art of mugham within the poet’s oeuvre. The inclusion of epic heroes like “Koroghlu,” “Asli and Kerem,” and “Dede Korkut,” alongside references to folk songs and various mugham modes, demonstrates that Shahriyar’s literary heritage serves as a comprehensive encyclopedia of the people’s spiritual and ethnographic culture. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that Shahriyar’s mother-tongue poetry plays an exceptional role in preserving national memory, protecting ethnic identity, and transmitting this cultural richness to future generations.