Legend as a Text Of Faith

Abstract

In the article the Azerbaijani legends are analyzed as texts of faith. It is noted that legends are not just texts that reflect reality; they are narratives that create new behaviors and norms, construct a new reality. This feature is also typical for legends created in the modern era. Despite the fact that modern legends originated in the urban environment, they act as protectors of religious and moral values, regulate the behavior of people by creating fear.
In the article the special attention is given to the area of distribution of legends. It is noted that, unlike fairy tales, the geography of the spread of legends is determined not by cultural ties, but by the geography of faith. The legend spreads in an environment in which there are bearers of the faith that it preaches. If there is no bearer of that faith, the legend can never take root there. Thus, the geography of the legend becomes, in fact, an indicator of the sphere of social and cultural influence of faith.
In the article the dynamic and changeable nature of legends is brought to the fore. As a legend is a narrative tied to a belief, its existence directly depends on the relevance of that belief. As long as the faith is functional and alive within society, the legend also maintains its active life. And when faith weakens or loses its relevance, the legend loses its connection with reality. As a result, it ends its life, either leaving the epic cycle or being transformed into other genres.