Fear Narratives and the Fear Map in Children’s Folklore: “The Case of Uşak” ÇOCUK FOLKLORUNDA KORKU ANLATILARI VE KORKU HARİTASI: “UŞAK ÖRNEĞİ”
Milli Folklor, vol.149, pp.60-72, 2026 (AHCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 149
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.58242/millifolklor.1723635
- Journal Name: Milli Folklor
- Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.60-72
- Keywords: Children's folklore, horror, horror figures, horror map, narrative
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Uşak University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Fear is one of the most fundamental and ancient emotions of human beings, a powerful force that profoundly influences an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyle. Fear is more than just an emotion; it is an instinctive and natural response to a situation perceived as dangerous, threatening, or uncertain. This response has evolved as a defense mechanism that helps humans survive. Over time, this fundamental response has acquired not only a physical but also a social and cultural dimension, giving rise to fear folklore by transforming into concrete behaviors, rituals, oral narratives, and social norms. Manifesting itself in almost every area of daily life, fear has transcended individual experiences and found a place in social memory, finding expression in a wide range of forms, from mythical narratives to fairy tales, legends to folk beliefs. Throughout history, people have developed various belief systems, rituals, symbols, protective objects, and narrative traditions to cope with their fears, make sense of them, and control them. The human mind has processed fear not only as an emotional response to unknown or unexplained situations but also as a defense mechanism for survival. The resulting folklore of fear has enabled the expression, channeling, and control of fear within certain patterns at both the individual and societal levels. Therefore, fear should be regarded not only as a psychological phenomenon belonging to the individual's inner world but also as an important cultural element that shapes societies' values, belief systems, social norms, and cultural structure. The behavioral models developed by societies in response to fear, sacred beliefs, prohibitions, and protective practices play a decisive role in the continuity of social order. From a folklore perspective, fear encompasses a rich world of symbols, rituals, and narratives that warrant investigation. Fairy tales, legends, myths, folk beliefs and ritual practices are important sources that show how fear is interpreted and transmitted in cultural memory. In this context, fear is not merely an emotion, but also a powerful cultural indicator that shapes the identity, collective memory and worldview of societies. In addition to psychology-based research, studies conducted in the context of folk narratives, rituals, and belief practices will provide a better understanding of the place and transformation of fear in society. In this study, the aim is also to create a map of fear based on fear narratives in children's folklore and the characters in these narratives in the districts and villages of Uşak Merkez and Banaz, Sivaslı, Eşme, Karahallı, and Ulubey. Based on data obtained from approximately eight months of fieldwork and a review of the written literature, this research aims to examine fear narratives in children's folklore and the figures of fear that appear in these narratives. The figures of fear have been classified under two main headings: ‘fear narratives containing supernatural beings’ and ‘fear narratives containing the other.’ In addition, the function of these narratives in their social and cultural context and their role in the process of intergenerational transmission have been evaluated. This study aims to reveal the role of elements that are important tools in children's internalization of social norms, moral values, and cultural heritage. Conducted from a folkloristic perspective, the research aims to strengthen the theoretical framework and make practical contributions to the field.