FUNCTION OF LULLABIES IN TRANSFERRING SOCIAL VALUES AND NORMS

Lullabies whose lyrics, composition and performance are specific to mothers, are basically poems sung by mothers to calm down or lull their babies with a particular rhythm and harmony. Similar to these cradle melodies having a specific tune, topic and formal features, loving/praising, indulging and nourishing are also available in Azerbaijan folklore. However, although these oral literary products can be performed by other women close to baby -grannies, aunts- while the baby is awake and caressing him, lullabies are sung by mother, the closest person to baby. Concordantly, mother's words, melody and performance are what make lullaby "the lullaby". The lullabies, first rhythmic words heard by baby, also embody some values and norms necessary to maintain the social life within a certain order and harmony. Therefore, the woman singing a lullaby calms down, relaxes and lulls her baby and also transfers some social values and norms to her baby. In other words, the baby starting to perceive, know and make sense of the world, environment and society with melodious words of his mother hears and internalizes social values and norms he has to adopt and obey since day one. In the article, Azerbaijani Turkish lullabies' function of transferring social values and norms is discussed based on sample texts. As a result of the examination, it is seen that Azerbaijani lullabies have an important function about teaching system of values and norms as well as mother's love, wish and desires to her baby. It is determined that the themes such as loyalty to family, parental love, respect to parents, interest, support, help, service, marriage, having a child, maternal rights, being valiant, patient, contented and ethical are brought to the forefront in lullabies