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Dancing Through Mythological Threads: Unraveling the Symbolism of Chechen Dance

Year 2023, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 55 - 74, 30.06.2023

Abstract

The incorporation of mythology into Chechen cultural practices and rituals, particularly in the realm of traditional dances, holds significant importance. By delving into the realms of myth and storytelling, Chechen dance gains a heightened sense of depth and appreciation, forging connections between the audience and the profound layers of symbolism, historical context, and spiritual essence embedded within the art form. This study aims to shed light on these cultural connections by exploring the similarities between Chechen culture and Greek mythology, with a particular focus on the iconic figures of Artemis and Apollo. These mythical beings bear unique characteristics that resonate with the essence of Chechen dance, particularly in their representation of celestial bodies such as the sun and moon, as well as their associations with various animal motifs. Moreover, the emblem of İchkria, proudly displayed on the Chechen flag, serves as a symbolic thread that ties together this captivating exploration. Through this inquiry, a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between mythology, dance, and cultural identity in Chechen tradition is sought.

References

  • Jaimoukha, A. (2005, January 13). The Chechens: A Handbook. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780415323284
  • Abkhaz World. (2023b, January 13). The Vainakhs: the Chechen and Ingush, by George Anchabadze. Abkhaz World | History, Culture & Politics of Abkhazia. https://abkhazworld.com/aw/publications/e-library/2107-the-vainakhs-the-chechen-and-ingush-by-george-anchabadze
  • Ilʹi︠a︡Sov, L. (2009). The Diversity of the Chechen Culture: From Historical Roots to the Present. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000186004
  • Miziev I.M, И. M. (1970). Medieval towers and crypts of Balkaria and Karachay. Retrieved from https://dzurdzuki.com/download/miziev-i-m-srednevekovye-bashni-i-sklepy-balkarii-i-karachaya-xiii-xviii-vv-1970/
  • Minaeva, T. M. (1971). Minaeva К истории алан Верхнего Прикубанья по археологическим данным [the history of the Alans of the Upper Kuban region according to archaeological data] . Stavorpol: Book; Publishing house . Retrieved from https://vk.com/doc1318581_486665861?hash=osWhg7ObuEergd7z7sOIH0BXWAqqEDxDABEcIQsAs1P
  • ARTEMIS - Greek Goddess of Hunting & Wild Animals. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Artemis.html
  • Thompson, D. W. (1938). Aristotle’s Zoology - Aristotle: The Parts of Animals, by A. L. Peck; The Movement of Animals and The Progression of Animals, by E. S. Forster. Pp. 556. (Loeb Classical Library.) London: Heinemann, 1937. Cloth, 10s. (leather, 12s. 6d.). The Classical Review, 52(1), 14–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0009840x00072565
  • ARTEMIS ESTATE & ATTRIBUTES - Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/ArtemisTreasures.html#Animals
  • Williams. (2022, June 3). Apollo and Artemis: The Divine Twins with Opposing Aims. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://www.thecollector.com/apollo-and-artemis-greek-mythology/
  • Khasiev, S.-M., Chechentsev drevnyaya zemlya [Ancient Land of the Chechens], Finland: Seda-S Art Publishers, 1994. Labrinth
  • Day, M. (2007). 100 Characters from Classical Mythology: Discover the Fascinating Stories of the Greek and Roman Deities. B.E.S. Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780764160066
  • https://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/apollo/. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/apollo/
  • Raph Häussler (2016) Wolf & Mythology, last updated 2021, retrieved from https://ralphhaussler.weebly.com/wolf-mythology-greek.html
  • Minorsky V.F. (1963) Istoriya Shirvana i Derbenda X-XI vekov [History of Shirvan and Darband of the X -XI centuries]
  • Garcia, B. (2016, December 1). Minotaur. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Minotaur/
  • Cartwright, M. (2016.). Theseus. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Theseus/
  • The Five Essential Elements of a Great Story. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/resources/5-essential-elements-of-a-great-story
  • Usmanov, L. (1999) ‘The Chechen Nation: A Portrait of Ethical Features’
  • Berman, M. (2008). The Shamanic Themes in Chechen Folktales. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-4438-0011-2-sample.pdf
  • Peterson, J. B. (1999). Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780415922210
  • Shervashidze, V. M. (1989). A mighty maze! but not without a plan : cosmological interpretations of the labyrinth. unsworks.unsw.edu.au. https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/1071
  • Flag, Emblem and Anthem – Waynakh Online. (2020, March 16). Retrieved from https://www.waynakh.com/eng/chechnya/flag-emblem-and-anthem/
  • Berens, E. M. (2011). The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome (Vol. Vol. 21). AUK Classics. Retrieved from https://www.ibiblio.org/ml/libri/b/BerensEM_MythsLegends_s.pdf
  • Kolasa-Sikiaridi, K. (2023, May 28). The Greek Island of Delos: Where Mythology and History Come Alive. GreekReporter.com; GreekReporter. https://greekreporter.com/2023/05/28/greek-island-delos/
  • EAGLE OF ZEUS (Aetos Dios) - Giant Eagle of Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Ther/AetosDios.html

Mitolojik İplerle Dans Etmek: Çeçen Dansının Sembolizmini Çözümlemek

Year 2023, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 55 - 74, 30.06.2023

Abstract

Cheçen kültürel uygulamaları ve ritüelleri, özellikle geleneksel dans alanında mitolojiyle birleştiğinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Mitler ve hikâyelerin dünyasına dalınarak, Cheçen dansı daha derin bir anlam kazanır ve izleyici ile sembolizmin, tarihsel bağlamın ve ruhani özün dansın içine işlediği katmanlar arasında bağlantılar kurulur. Bu çalışma, Cheçen kültürü ile Yunan mitolojisi arasındaki benzerlikleri keşfederek, özellikle Artemis ve Apollo gibi ikonik figürlere odaklanarak bu kültürel bağlantıları aydınlatmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu mitolojik varlıklar, güneş ve ay gibi gök cisimlerinin temsilleriyle ve çeşitli hayvan motifleriyle ilişkilendirilmeleriyle Cheçen dansının özünü yankılayan benzersiz özelliklere sahiptir. Ayrıca, Cheçen bayrağında gururla sergilenen İchkria amblemi, bu etkileyici araştırmayı bir arada tutan sembolik bir ip olarak hizmet etmektedir. Bu soruşturma aracılığıyla, Cheçen geleneğinde mitoloji, dans ve kültürel kimlik arasındaki karmaşık etkileşimin daha derin bir anlayışı aranmaktadır.

References

  • Jaimoukha, A. (2005, January 13). The Chechens: A Handbook. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780415323284
  • Abkhaz World. (2023b, January 13). The Vainakhs: the Chechen and Ingush, by George Anchabadze. Abkhaz World | History, Culture & Politics of Abkhazia. https://abkhazworld.com/aw/publications/e-library/2107-the-vainakhs-the-chechen-and-ingush-by-george-anchabadze
  • Ilʹi︠a︡Sov, L. (2009). The Diversity of the Chechen Culture: From Historical Roots to the Present. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000186004
  • Miziev I.M, И. M. (1970). Medieval towers and crypts of Balkaria and Karachay. Retrieved from https://dzurdzuki.com/download/miziev-i-m-srednevekovye-bashni-i-sklepy-balkarii-i-karachaya-xiii-xviii-vv-1970/
  • Minaeva, T. M. (1971). Minaeva К истории алан Верхнего Прикубанья по археологическим данным [the history of the Alans of the Upper Kuban region according to archaeological data] . Stavorpol: Book; Publishing house . Retrieved from https://vk.com/doc1318581_486665861?hash=osWhg7ObuEergd7z7sOIH0BXWAqqEDxDABEcIQsAs1P
  • ARTEMIS - Greek Goddess of Hunting & Wild Animals. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Artemis.html
  • Thompson, D. W. (1938). Aristotle’s Zoology - Aristotle: The Parts of Animals, by A. L. Peck; The Movement of Animals and The Progression of Animals, by E. S. Forster. Pp. 556. (Loeb Classical Library.) London: Heinemann, 1937. Cloth, 10s. (leather, 12s. 6d.). The Classical Review, 52(1), 14–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0009840x00072565
  • ARTEMIS ESTATE & ATTRIBUTES - Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/ArtemisTreasures.html#Animals
  • Williams. (2022, June 3). Apollo and Artemis: The Divine Twins with Opposing Aims. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://www.thecollector.com/apollo-and-artemis-greek-mythology/
  • Khasiev, S.-M., Chechentsev drevnyaya zemlya [Ancient Land of the Chechens], Finland: Seda-S Art Publishers, 1994. Labrinth
  • Day, M. (2007). 100 Characters from Classical Mythology: Discover the Fascinating Stories of the Greek and Roman Deities. B.E.S. Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780764160066
  • https://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/apollo/. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/apollo/
  • Raph Häussler (2016) Wolf & Mythology, last updated 2021, retrieved from https://ralphhaussler.weebly.com/wolf-mythology-greek.html
  • Minorsky V.F. (1963) Istoriya Shirvana i Derbenda X-XI vekov [History of Shirvan and Darband of the X -XI centuries]
  • Garcia, B. (2016, December 1). Minotaur. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Minotaur/
  • Cartwright, M. (2016.). Theseus. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Theseus/
  • The Five Essential Elements of a Great Story. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/resources/5-essential-elements-of-a-great-story
  • Usmanov, L. (1999) ‘The Chechen Nation: A Portrait of Ethical Features’
  • Berman, M. (2008). The Shamanic Themes in Chechen Folktales. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-4438-0011-2-sample.pdf
  • Peterson, J. B. (1999). Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780415922210
  • Shervashidze, V. M. (1989). A mighty maze! but not without a plan : cosmological interpretations of the labyrinth. unsworks.unsw.edu.au. https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/1071
  • Flag, Emblem and Anthem – Waynakh Online. (2020, March 16). Retrieved from https://www.waynakh.com/eng/chechnya/flag-emblem-and-anthem/
  • Berens, E. M. (2011). The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome (Vol. Vol. 21). AUK Classics. Retrieved from https://www.ibiblio.org/ml/libri/b/BerensEM_MythsLegends_s.pdf
  • Kolasa-Sikiaridi, K. (2023, May 28). The Greek Island of Delos: Where Mythology and History Come Alive. GreekReporter.com; GreekReporter. https://greekreporter.com/2023/05/28/greek-island-delos/
  • EAGLE OF ZEUS (Aetos Dios) - Giant Eagle of Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theoi.com/Ther/AetosDios.html
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Cultural Studies
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Maysa Bakeer 0009-0002-8414-1320

Early Pub Date June 28, 2023
Publication Date June 30, 2023
Submission Date May 30, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 3 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Bakeer, M. (2023). Dancing Through Mythological Threads: Unraveling the Symbolism of Chechen Dance. Sakarya İletişim, 3(1), 55-74.