An Analysis of the Folk Kurdish Tale of "Pir-e-Kharkan" with Emphasis on the Approach of Ecofeminism

The emerging theory of ecofeminism highlights sociological concerns related to the environment and the future of the human ecosystem, emphasizing the fundamental biological and physical connections between women and nature while recognizing nature as a feminist subject.  This theory posits that men, leveraging instrumental power and rationality, seek to dominate both nature and women, with their profit-driven approaches leading to environmental degradation and the marginalization of women. Ecofeminists utilize cultural and traditional frameworks to identify symbols and rituals that foster meaningful connections between women and the environment. In Kurdish culture, gender and environmental issues have historically presented significant social and cultural challenges; thus, cultural narratives serve as valuable tools for recovering the shared roots and concepts linking women and nature. This qualitative descriptive-analytical research examines themes such as "Metamorphosis," "pouring flowers from the mouth and nose while sneezing," "regaining sight through a magical element," "women's cunning," and "falling into a well" alongside men’s perspectives in the Kurdish story "Pir-e-Kharkan."  By emphasizing an ecofeminist lens, the study aims to underscore the importance of women's roles in both society and environmental conservation. The central premise is that the story, as mentioned earlier, reflects historical efforts and motivations within a patriarchal society aimed at the colonization and mutual exploitation of both nature and women.