Dahgestan languages
had an oral tradition more than written literature. Despite the ric folkloric and ethnical
differences, it composes a wholeness including the Turkish characteristics. Legends,
proverbs word puzzles and etc. are the same in Turkish both in respect of meaning
and structure, so that it is seen that both are taken from each other. Folk songs
and legends tell the bravery stories of Daghestan’s famous warriors such as Sheikh
Shamil. Moreover, there are also stories telling the stories of the Prophet, his family
and friends. Poems, songs and laments are generally the products of women with a sensitive
heart, wide dream and refine intelligence. These are about bravery, ethical superiority
and patriotic approach.
In centuries when Daghestan tribes had no written
tradition, all the works of great poets were written in Arabic. The history of written art
works in Daghestan tribes begun in the 17th century with Avar and Lakhs. On the other
hand, Lezghis and Kumukhs start written literature in 19th century, and gave many poetic
works about freedom. We see the first published works in Lezhgi literature after 1928.
Among the first examples of written literature are such works as “Leyla & Mecnun”,
“Tahir & Zürhe” together with bravery stories in the struggle of Daghestan people
against Russians. There are also medical works among these first examples. As in songs and
legends, Imam Shamil has a special place in bravery stories. Famous poet Resul Hamzatov’s
work about Daghestan Literature has been translated and published in Turkish with the name
of “My Daghestan”.
Today, the position of native Daghemtan languages is not seem
to be good. Because the culture and history of ethnical groups were not considered
importand during soviet period, most of the people belonging to these groups has become
alienated to their own language, history and culture. Although they had national theatres,
papers, radio and tv programs and local language classes in middle schools, Daghestan
languages can be considered to in poor condition. Almost all languages were invaded by
Russian words. For example, Kumukh langugage has a grammatical languages as modern
languages but has 20,000 Russian words. Classes for lokal languages in middle schools are
of use only for the places where these languges are spoken. In cities and places where
many different nationalities live together, the native language is only used at home if
the family is eager on this point. Those children who lost their sensitiveness and forgot
the importance of national language, are on a point that they will be fall apart of their
own culture. Likewise, many families wanted their children to learn Russian because it was
the official language as well as being dominant in educational and business world.
Due to economic crisis and lack of an education program on
this subject, the native languages still have no chance to improve.
As the Russian have lost its importance in Daghestan, it is
seen that there is a steadily increasing interest against education in other world
languages such as English and Turkish.
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