Erzurum, Erzincan (folk belief)

The Belief in Albastı (Al Karısı)

Folklore — not a documented case

According to a widespread folk belief in eastern Anatolia, Albastı — a malevolent being said to torment women in childbirth and their newborn infants — is guarded against through a number of protective customs still practiced in the region during the postpartum period (never letting the light go out, never leaving the mother alone, and so on). It is thought to have Shamanic origins, and belongs entirely to the oral tradition.

According to this belief, passed down for centuries in eastern Anatolia — particularly around Erzurum and Erzincan — Albastı (in some areas called Al Karısı, or Alkarısı) is a malevolent being that torments women who have just given birth, along with their infants.

The stories in this section are folk tales and legends; they are not verified, real events and should not be confused with the rest of the archive.

From the same region