World folk-lore studies about legend genre and Azerbaijan legends

Abstract

Lack of systematic catalogs makes it difficult for investigators to use texts and requires both intense
labor and a long time. Systematization of materials causes researchers to easily access the source of the
materials they need by special marks. The systematization will enable researchers to get acquainted with
many sources through specific editions. Problems of systematization of materials requires genre definition. So, we need to study the genre specificity to group materials for catalog. One such genre in folklore
is legend. As is known, legend is an epic genre of prosaic folklore. Legend is also commonly referred to
as written legend about historical personalities and events. Legends differ from other genres of folklore.
For example, from the myth of their distinguished that they are not connected with any ritual, from the
magic fairy tale that in legend miracle is perceived as a reliable event. So far, legends sometimes have
been cataloged unilaterally and sometimes cataloged with beliefs, memoirs and other texts in the world
folklore. Traditionally, at first theoretical ideas about the genre should be studied and appropriate texts
from Azerbaijani folklore should be selected.
There are some texts in Azerbaijani folklore that resemble myths and traditions. However, these
texts have many recurring attributes. These texts are based on actual reality, and provide information
on its etiology.