Shape-Shifting Motif in Turkish and Slavic Literature and the Volkolak

Shape-shifting is a belief based on archaic people’s desire and need for resemblance, protection, and sanctification to ensure that they are not defeated in their struggle with nature and the living beings with whom they share nature. The motif of shape-shifting, which is based on the belief that individuals possess superior abilities by incorporating animal elements into their bodies, is a prevalent theme in the folk narratives of the Turks. Throughout history, the Turks, who have adopted a wide variety of religions and entered their cultural circles, have kept the traces of these cultures alive in their daily lives, belief practices, and narratives. The motif of transformation into a wolf, which is one of the deadliest and most frightening creatures in nature, has a place in many archaic belief systems starting from their creation; moreover, this motif is observed in Slavic literature as one of the most common types of shape-shifting, i.e., the volkolak type. However, this motif in texts from Turkish and Slavic cultures demonstrates some similarities. This study aims to throw light on the prevalence and diversity of shape-shifting in the cultural history of the Turks, with a focus on the volkolak, a striking example from Slavic literature that is known for its prominent aspect of shape-shifting. According to Russian researchers, the motif of shape-shifting attributes associated with the embodiment of the human soul in an animal, plant, or object extends to totemic beliefs. In this context, the most mythologized animal in Slavic culture, the wolf, can be considered one of the fundamental reasons for the study shaping through the volkolak type. Indeed, in terms of divine qualities an analogy has been observed between the sacred wolf in Slavic and the Turkish wolf. This study will compare the aims, reasons, and approaches of shape-shifting in Turkish and Slavic narratives. Moreover, this study will define the type of volkolak resulting from transformation and evaluate the possible sources of shape-shifting. In the study, the Volkolak type from Slavic culture is examined from the old sources in the historical process. For this purpose, the method of historical document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, is utilized.