Abstract:

Mountain goats are timid animals and live in the remotest parts of the mountains. These creatures have been accepted as mysterious creatures for centuries because they live far from the living space of humans, and thus have been the subject of many symbolic appearances. Mountain goats, which we encounter with their divine features in mythological times, have been the subject of folklore, belief, art, architecture in various meanings until today. Mountain goats, which are also seen in Tunceli folklore and beliefs, are accepted as sacred and blessed creatures among the people in the region. Although they roam in flocks in the Tunceli mountains, there is a belief among the local people that these creatures were not abandoned. These creatures, which are accepted as sacred by the people, are accepted as the symbol of Hızır with their fast and agile nature, and they are also accepted as sacred personalities such as Ana Fatma and Düzgün Baba. The belief that the people who hunt them will face adverse events that cannot be compensated, as it is considered as one of the biggest sins to hunt and harm these creatures, which are associated with people who are considered sacred in the belief of the Tunceli Alevi. In this study, our aim is to serve the folklore of Tunceli by explaining the folk beliefs about the mountain goats believed to be sacred and lucky in Tunceli.