Putting Folklore to Use: Reflections on Masal Evi, Halıdere-Türkiye, 1999-2000

Authors : Hande Birkalangedik

Pages : 1257-1272

Doi:10.22559/folklor.3812

View : 59 | Download : 48

Publication Date : 2024-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The focus of this article is on Masal Evi (Story House) in Halıdere, Türkiye and my reflections on storytelling as a therapeutic tool in the aftermath of the 1999 Marmara earthquake. In this initiative, inspired by applied folklore theories, I employed traditional folktales as a means to help children overcome their traumatic experiences. Grounded in approaches by scholars such as Donald Haase and Jack Zipes, the storytelling activities leveraged the healing potential of fairy tales to create a safe and culturally relevant environment for children to explore their emotions and begin to heal. In the storytelling sessions, traditional narratives became tools for expressing complex emotions, allowing children to engage with narratives that mirrored their own experiences of loss and displacement. This approach also resonates with practices like cuento therapy, where folktales can help children navigate their psychological landscape, offering both hope and a sense of belonging. This article presents my reflections on storytelling sessions that I conducted in Halıdere, which encouraged self-expression and community support. It ultimately highlights how culturally sensitive approaches to storytelling and folklore can facilitate community-driven healing in trauma-affected populations. Türkiye’s seismic landscape, marked by significant earthquakes, has left profound psychological scars, especially among young survivors. Addressing this, the experience in Masal Evi highlights how folktales can offer comfort and foster resilience, allowing children to process trauma and rebuild their sense of stability. In Masal Evi, the collective effort from volunteers, local families, and children not only established a safe space for healing but also rekindled a sense of community attuned to gender equity and democracy.
Keywords : halk masalları, masal terapisi, 1999 Marmara depremi, çocuk folkloru, uygulamalı halkbilim, cemaat yaratma