TURKS AND THE CONCEPT OF DEATH: AN ANALYTICAL SURVEY AMONG TURKISH PROVERBS

Abstract

It is possible to identify the viewpoints of a society using various aspects that are illustrated in its proverbs. Based on the proverbs commonly used in Turkey, this study is aimed at identifying; analyzing and somehow systematizing ideas on death in Turkish culture, and determining how they reflect customs, traditions, and rituals from past to present. With this in sight, information is presented about various perceptions of death in the Turkish culture and several expressions about death in the Turkish language. Some elements pertaining to the ancient, pre-Islamic religion of Kok Tengri, as well as to Islamic Sufism, Islamic doctrine as well as (perhaps) non-religious, folkish good sense, are identified. Turkish proverbs are listed and examined under thematic issues such as: what death is; what are the causes of death; who dies; who doesn't die; killing; ways to die; better and worse things than death; the deceased; the funeral culture.