TRADITIONS AND BELIEFS ABOUT KIRKHTOKMA (THE CEREMONY “FORTIETH DAY”) IN THE REGIONS KARABAKH AND NAKHCHIVAN

Abstract

Azerbaijan folklore attracts attention with its rich and various ceremonies. Such ceremonies include various rituals which starts with the birth of the child and lasts untill he grows up. Among these cermonies the ceremony “Fortieth Day” is especially important in our traditions which can be shown as an example. The ceremony “Fortieth Day” is celebrated forty days after the birth of child. This ceremony has its own beliefs and traditions. These beliefs and trditions are celebrated to protect the new-born baby from negative aura and bad energy.
In this article the ceremony “Fortieth Day” held in the rich regions such as Nakhcivan and Karabakh which are the cultural center of Azerbaijan is investigated comparatively. The similar and various aspects of this ceremony, that celebrated in both regions are shown.