An Anthropological Study of Folk Culture in Shaping the Fatalistic Disposition among the Turkmen Ethnic Group and Its Role in Disease Prevention and Treatment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate professor Shahid Madani University
2 Professor ofTabriz university
Abstract
Health and its maintenance are fundamental needs of human societies, yet health is closely intertwined with culture. The community under study shows a significantly higher cancer risk compared to the global average. Analyzing the belief system of this society reveals how certain cultural perceptions and behaviors contribute to increased disease risk. Folklore plays a pivotal role within the cultural system of societies in shaping both perceptions and behaviors. In this specific context, folklore serves as a foundational element in the construction of a fatalistic worldview, which leads to behaviors that elevate cancer risk. The main aim of this article is to identify the beliefs and linguistic practices embedded in Turkmen folklore that have contributed to the emergence of a fatalistic disposition. Findings indicate that folklore acts as a key factor in generating and reinforcing fatalistic attitudes in the studied society. This disposition plays a particularly significant role during the two major transitional stages in Turkmen life—birth and marriage—and ultimately undermines effective screening, prevention, and treatment by fostering a sense of inevitability.

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