İrfan Ünsal
9 writings
Folklore of Kürse Village (1): Preface and Introduction to the Village
İrfan Ünsal
The preface to İrfan Ünsal’s 1982 collection describes the state of the village at that time and the legend behind the origin of its name.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (2): Customs Relating to Birth and Children
İrfan Ünsal
Ancient customs relating to the postnatal period, naming ceremonies, the ‘kırk’ ritual, the ‘aydaş’ roast, the salt jar and the child’s first steps.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (3): Folk Medicine
İrfan Ünsal
Traditional folk remedies practised by families in Ocak: blackening, snake removal, lead pouring and others (historical record).
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (4): Superstitions and Folk Meteorology
İrfan Ünsal
Beliefs in everyday life, things considered lucky or unlucky; weather forecasting by observing sheep, the moon and the stars.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (5): Proverbs, Blessings and Curses
İrfan Ünsal
Proverbs, blessings (alkışlar) and curses (kargışlar) passed down from mouth to mouth in the village.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (6): Folk Songs, Lamentations and Rhymes
İrfan Ünsal
Village folk songs with their stories, the Fikriye Hymn, children’s rhymes and Mustafa Taşdemir’s rhymes.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (7): Legends and Riddles
İrfan Ünsal
The legends of Kesikbaş and Kanlı Armut, a short story and riddles asked in the village with their answers.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (8): Fairy Tales
İrfan Ünsal
Fatmacık and Üsencik, The Bear’s Tale, The Child of the Ash-Eating Woman and The Three Brothers — in the narrators’ own words.
2 October 2026
Folklore of Kürse Village (9): Manis and Ramadan Manis
İrfan Ünsal
Mani recited in the village and those recited by the Ramadan drummer as he goes from house to house.
2 October 2026