Cultural Hybridity on a Plate: Food, Identity and Conflict Resolution in Barış Manço’s “Lahburger”

Year 2026, Issue: 10 , 65 - 81 , 22.04.2026

Reyyan Bal

https://doi.org/10.64957/nesir.1934338

https://izlik.org/JA99GH82CB

Abstract

This article examines Barış Manço’s song “Lahburger” as an allegorical exploration of the cultural conflict in Turkey, characterized by the dichotomy between the East and the West, and the traditional and the modern. Manço employs two culinary items, the hamburger and the lahmacun, as allegorical figures compelled to oppose each other despite their secret love. Ultimately, love prevails, metaphorically resolving the cultural conflict through the creation of a new, hybrid synthesis of the two opposing cultures, represented by the birth of their child, Lahburger. This narrative aligns with Manço’s enduring commitment to bridging cultural divides and fostering peaceful resolutions through his art, as well as his distinctive musical and cultural style, which consciously integrates elements of both eastern and western, local and global influences. The analysis will be carried out through a close reading of the song’s lyrics within its cultural context and from the specific perspective of literary food studies.

Keywords

Food studies , Barış Manço , popular poetry , cultural conflict , cultural hybridity , popular music , Türkiye

Supporting Institution

This study was conducted without any financial support.

Thanks

No AI-assisted tools were used in the preparation of this work. All content has been created solely by the author, who takes full responsibility for its integrity.

Bir Tabakta Kültürel Melezlik: Barış Manço’nun “Lahburger” Şarkısında Yemek, Kimlik ve Çatışma Çözümü

https://izlik.org/JA99GH82CB

Abstract

Bu makale, Barış Manço’nun “Lahburger” adlı şarkısını, Türkiye’de Doğu ile Batı ve geleneksel ile modern arasındaki ikilikle karakterize edilen kültürel çatışmanın alegorik bir incelemesi olarak ele almaktadır. Manço, hamburger ve lahmacun olmak üzere iki yemek unsurunu, aralarındaki gizli aşka rağmen birbirlerine karşı konumlanmak zorunda bırakılan alegorik figürler olarak kullanır. Nihayetinde aşk galip gelir; bu durum, karşıt iki kültürün yeni ve melez bir sentezi olarak doğan çocukları Lahburger üzerinden, kültürel çatışmanın metaforik bir çözümüne işaret eder. Bu anlatı, Manço’nun sanatı aracılığıyla kültürel ayrımları aşma ve barışçıl çözümler üretme yönündeki süreklilik arz eden yaklaşımıyla örtüşmektedir. Aynı zamanda onun, doğu ve batı; yerel ve küresel unsurları bilinçli biçimde bir araya getiren kendine özgü müzikal ve kültürel tarzını da yansıtmaktadır. Analiz, şarkı sözlerinin kültürel bağlamı içinde yakından okunması yoluyla ve edebî yemek çalışmaları perspektifinden gerçekleştirilecektir.

Keywords

Yemek çalışmaları , Barış Manço , popüler şiir , kültürel çatışma , kültürel melezlik , popüler müzik , Türkiye

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