MELODIES OF RESISTANCE: A CULTURAL AND POSCOLONIAL ANALYSIS OD KURDISH AND RUSSIAN LULLABIES, BASED ON THE THEORY OF ANIA LUMBA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the cultural, social and conceptual features of Kurdish and Russian lullabies, to identify their similarities and differences in the transmission of values, reflection of social reality and the use of symbolic themes. Despite cultural and historical differences, Kurdish and Russian lullabies both convey cultural values, express human feelings through rhythm, melody and similar motives. There are significant differences in political, social themes, in the ways of expressing cultural identity, which is due to the historical past and socio-political context of the respective societies. The research methodology is descriptive and analytical, using a comparative approach. Examples of Kurdish and Russian lullabies are collected from written sources, oral folklore and scientific works. Within the framework of a qualitative content analysis, based on cultural, and postcolonial theory of Ania Lumba, a comparative study of the themes and socio-cultural functions of lullabies is carried out. The final conclusions highlight the main similarities and differences, and explain the historical and social role of these songs in Kurdish and Russian cultures.

Extended Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the cultural, social, and conceptual features of Kurdish and Russian lullabies. The research identifies their similarities and differences in transmitting values, reflecting social reality, and utilizing symbolic themes. Despite cultural and historical distinctions, both Kurdish and Russian lullabies convey cultural values and express human emotions through rhythm, melody, and similar motifs. However, significant differences exist in political and social themes and in the ways of expressing cultural identity, stemming from the historical past and socio-political context of the respective societies.

The research employs a descriptive and analytical methodology using a comparative approach. Examples are collected from written sources, oral folklore, and scientific works. A qualitative content analysis, based on cultural reflection theory and the postcolonial theory of Ania Lumba, is conducted. Lumba's framework views folklore as a key form of cultural expression and means of confronting colonial violence, allowing the lullabies to be analyzed as vehicles for the voices of the oppressed.

The analysis reveals that Kurdish lullabies frequently address themes of historical pain, poverty, displacement, and a yearning for freedom, reflecting repressive structures. They serve as a medium for preserving identity and transmitting hope, often incorporating symbols of resistance. In contrast, Russian lullabies express themes of hardship and maternal anxiety, showing a distinct historical trajectory. They contain echoes of ancient protective incantations and the unique genre of "lullabies of death," interpreted as magical attempts to safeguard the child. During the Soviet era, traditional forms were reinterpreted to align with socialist ideals, though mothers also used them to express personal grievances.

A key parallel lies in the function of lullabies as a form of muted resistance. In both traditions, these songs, performed by women, convey collective and personal experiences, acting as "voices of the subaltern." They subtly articulate critiques of injustice and political conditions. The use of the Kurdish language in lullabies becomes an act of cultural defiance. Similarly, the preservation of traditional Russian lullabic forms during the Soviet period represents cultural endurance.

In conclusion, while both Kurdish and Russian lullabies share fundamental roles in soothing and educating, they diverge in their dominant thematic preoccupations. Kurdish lullabies are more explicitly oriented towards collective struggle and political resistance. Russian lullabies often blend existential themes with adaptations to state ideology. Both traditions demonstrate the power of the lullaby as a complex cultural text that nurtures the next generation while upholding values of identity and resilience, functioning as a subtle instrument of cultural memory and resistance.