Supernatural or “social mind”? –Four case studies from Southeast Turkey

Öz

Originated in early phase of Palaeolithic period, the structure of social mind marks the strongest effect on an individual from a distinct human group. The beliefs on supernatural beings, along with other norms, rites and rituals, are actually considered to be the products of the social mind that has been formed and reformed following environmental and socio-technological changes of humanity through time. Southeast Turkey is a region where all people groups have been believed on different types of supernatural forces and this is commonly found in archaeological remains since prehistoric period. Moreover, at present day, the beliefs on supernatural beings as well as their socio-psychological effects are more visible in the region comparing to other parts of Turkey. Therefore, out of 53 case studies obtained in ethnographic fieldworks, thorough examination of 4 individual case studies have been performed in this study to illustrate the power and functions of social mind in producing the beliefs on supernatural beings. Further, as the consequence of these beliefs, the generation sufferings in the region have also been examined in this study.  

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Supernatural beings,Genie,Psychiatric disorder,Generation suffering,Turkey

Doğaüstü mü Yoksa “Sosyal Zihin” mi? - Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nden Elde Edilen 4 Vaka Çalışması

Öz

Paleolitik dönemin erken evresinde köken alan “sosyal zihin”in yapısı, bir insan toplumun içeresindeki bir bireyin hayatı ve düşünceler üzerinde en güçlü etkiyi işaret etmektedir. Toplumdaki diğer sosyal kurallar ve ritüeller ile birlikte, zamanla çevresel ve sosyo-teknolojik değişimlerinin sonucunda biçimlendirilen doğaüstü varlıklar hakkındaki inançlar da, sosyal zihin’in ürünleri olarak düşünülür. Güneydoğu Türkiye, tarih öncesi dönemden beri farklı insan gruplardan çeşitli doğaüstü güçlere inanıldığı ve bu inançlara ait arkeolojik kalıntılarda yaygın olarak bulunduğu bir bölgedir. Günümüzde de, doğaüstü varlıklar üzerinde inançların yanı sıra sosyo-psikolojik etkileri, Türkiye’nin diğer bölgelerine karşılaştırarak bu bölgede daha fazla görünmektedir. Bu nedenle, etnografik alan çalışmalardan elde edilen 53 vakanın arasında en dikkat çeken 4 vakanın incelendiği bu araştırma, doğaüstü inanç üretiminde sosyal zihin’in güç ve fonksiyonlarını göstermeye çalışmıştır. Bu araştırma ayrıca, doğaüstü inançların sonucu olarak bölgedeki farklı nesillerin üzerindeki devam eden sorunları da incelenmiştir.  

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Doğaüstü varlıklar,Cin,Psikiyatrik hastalık,Nesil çilesi,Türkiye

Kaynakça

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