yürüyü

Yürüyü is a term in Turkish folk culture that refers to a spoken or sung incantation intended to influence the world through supernatural means. The word derives from the verb “yürümek” (to walk) combined with the suffix “‑ü,” and historically it has been used to denote both protective charms and curses. Yürüyüler are typically recited aloud, sometimes accompanied by gestures, the drawing of symbols, or the use of specific objects such as water, incense, or herbs.

In the Anatolian tradition, yürüyüler have been employed in a variety of contexts: to safeguard a newborn, to heal illness, to avert misfortune, or to secure success in agricultural work. The content of a yürüyü often includes biblical or Quranic verses, names of saints, or references to natural elements. Variants differ by region, with some incorporating pre‑Islamic Turkic motifs, while others reflect Ottoman‑era religious syncretism.

The practice of yürüyü is documented in Ottoman archival sources, folk‑medicine manuscripts, and ethnographic studies conducted in the early twentieth century. Researchers note that the performance of a yürüyü is generally entrusted to a "hekim" (folk healer) or an experienced elder, and that the efficacy of the charm is believed to depend on the correct pronunciation, timing, and the moral intent of the practitioner.

In contemporary Turkey, the use of yürüyü has declined but persists in rural areas and among communities that maintain traditional belief systems. Modern interest in the subject appears in academic works on Turkish folklore, as well as in popular media that portray yürüyü as a cultural symbol of mysticism and heritage.