Toponyms Related to Tribal and Ethnic Affiliation in the Legends and Narratives of Karabakh

Abstract

Folklore, which constitutes an important component of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, plays a significant role in preserving historical memory, ethnic identity, and worldview. Legends and narratives, in particular, contain valuable information about the past, settlements, tribal relations, and ethnic composition of the people. In this respect, the folklore of Karabakh stands out as a rich source that preserves both ancient historical events and the ethnocultural characteristics of the region.
The place names encountered in folklore texts do not merely denote geographical locations; they also reflect the ethnic memory, settlement history, and social relations of the people. The fact that a number of Karabakh toponyms are associated with tribal names is of particular importance for the study of the region’s ancient ethnic landscape. Preserved in legends and narratives, these place names serve as carriers of historical realities, folk etymology, and collective memory. The study of toponyms related to tribal and ethnic affiliation in such texts contributes to a deeper understanding of the ethnocultural history of Karabakh and helps reveal the semantic and linguopoetic characteristics of these place names.
This article analyzes place names associated with tribal and ethnic affiliation in the legends and narratives of Karabakh, examining their origins, semantic features, and functions within folklore texts. It also explores the role of these toponyms in shaping the historical and ethnic landscape of Karabakh and highlights the scholarly significance of the information preserved in collective memory through folklore.