NATIONAL MEMORY ENCYCLOPEDIA: VOLUMES I–V OF THE MULTIVOLUME “KARABAGH: FOLKLORE IS ALSO A HISTORY”

Abstract

This paper analyzes the structure, content, and scholarly value of volumes I–V of the “Karabakh: Folklore is Also History” multivolume encyclopedia, prepared by the Institute of Folk-lore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. The first five volumes encompass folklore col-lected from key districts of Karabakh – including Aghdam, Fuzuli, Ağcabedi, Jabrayil, Lachin, Kalba-jar, Gubadli, Barda and Shusha – and present genres such as mythological texts, legends, ethnographic narratives, beliefs, tales, anecdotes, proverbs, lullabies, songs, etc.. The collected texts reflect the region’s historical memory, ethnographic characteristics, and cultural identity. The analysis indicates that these volumes serve as a fundamental encyclopedic resource of Karabakh folklore.