The Phenomenon of Belief and Fear in Turkic Demonological Narratives

2026

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DOI 10.66343/cstpf/vol1_iss1/art63
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of belief and fear in Turkic demonological narratives from a worldview perspective. As the research material, prose texts related to lower mythology of Kazakh, Kalmyk, Bashkir, Buryat, and other Turkic peoples are analyzed. In demonological narratives, figures such as jinn, albasty, shaitan, and spirits are interpreted not only as mythological characters but also as an integral part of the people’s system of belief and social regulation mechanisms. Narrative formulas such as prayers, saying “bismillah,” taboos, and magical actions are evaluated as ways of understanding the world through faith rather than merely as means of overcoming fear. The study also highlights the interaction and layering of Tengrism and Islamic worldview concepts. As a result, it concludes that demonological narratives are not only fear-inducing texts but also cultural models aimed at maintaining the moral and spiritual stability of society.