Turkish mythology; It is a concept that covers all of the myths, legends and stories of the beliefs, cultures and history of the Turks. Turkish mythology is a reflection of the cultural values of the Turks that have existed since ancient times. It contains important information about the history, beliefs and cultures of the Turks. In Turkish mythology, the names of many gods and goddesses are mentioned. For example, the god Tengri is considered the most important god of the Turks and has a very important place in its history. Other important deities include names such as the Oghuz Kagan god, the Erlik god, and the Kök Tengri god.
There are also many legends and stories in Turkish mythology. Some of these legends have been replaced with Islamic elements over time. Turkish epics; They are epic writings in Turkish culture, describing common values, beliefs and historical events. The epics contain important information about the origin, traditions and history of the Turks. The epics, which were generally transmitted orally, were written down and preserved for centuries.
The Most Known Epics of the Turks
Dede Korkut Epics: These are the stories that tell the epic of the Oghuz Turks who lived in Central Asia. These stories contain important information about the social life styles and pre-Islamic beliefs of the nomadic Turkic peoples. The Book of Dede Korkut is the common cultural heritage of Turkish communities of Oghuz origin such as Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. These stories, which emerged in Central Asia, changed according to religion and environmental motifs after the Turks converted to Islam and migrated to Anatolia. For detailed article on Dede Korkut Stories CLICK HERE.
Oguz Kagan Epic: This epic tells the life of Oguz Kagan, known as the ancestor of the Turks. In the epic from his birth to his death and the distribution of the state to his sons; Oguz’s meeting with his wives, the birth of his sons and wars. Tells the nomadic lifestyle, family structure and social relations of the Turks. In addition, the Oguz Kagan Epic tells the process of establishing the first state of the Turks and the establishment of the first Turkic states, the Gokturk State.
Gokboru Epic: It is a legend that the gray wolf plays an important role in Turkish mythology. This myth is widespread among Turkic peoples in various ways and has an important place in the history of the Turks. The gray wolf is an animal and national symbol considered sacred by Turkish communities. Bozkurt or Gökbörü, which is said in different ways in Turkish languages, is considered as the guiding wolf in Turkish mythology. Börü (Kurt) has been a part of the ancestor cult since ancient Turkish communities and has been the symbol of elements such as the state and sovereignty. The guiding blessed wolf is the common ongun of all Turkish and Mongolian tribes. Some Turkic and Mongolian tribes believed that their lineage was derived from this being. Legend has it that the Turks were completely destroyed by their enemies and only two children survived. A she-wolf sent by Tengri feeds these two children, and the children become the rulers of the future Turkish communities.
Ergenekon Epic: According to the legend, the Turks suffered a great defeat and gathered their tents and migrated. Meanwhile, a wolf sent by Tengri leads the Turks and takes them to a plain with fertile lands and surrounded by mountains. After a few generations, the Turks do not fit into this plain and they decide to move again. This time, a wolf shows them that one of the mountains surrounding them is made of metal, and the blacksmiths melt it down. The Turks came out of the plain and seized the sovereignty of the steppes again and announced this news to all steppe peoples.
Koroglu Epic: Köroğlu is one of the common motifs of the entire Turkish World and its different versions are told in different countries. The epic is about the conflicts between Köroğlu’s father Koca Yusuf and Bolu Bey. The epic of Köroğlu is integrated with the folk poet Köroğlu (Ruşen Ali), who lived in the 16th century. Epic; It was written in Yaşar Kemal’s “Three Anatolian Legends”. The epic contains information about the history of the Turks and deals with important themes in Turkish culture. Köroğlu, the main protagonist of Köroğlu Epic, is a bandit and a defender of justice. The epic tells about the events where Köroğlu was a bandit and defended justice.
Epic of Manas: Known as the longest epic in the world, Manas Epic tells the story of Kyrgyz Manas. Manas is a person known to be a hero from a young age. The epic tells that he was betrayed and killed by his friends. The animals weeping at his grave lament Manas, and the God of Heaven resurrects Manas with pity. Later, Manas also goes after his friends who betrayed him.
Alp Er Tunga Epic: This epic tells the life of Alp Er Tunga. Alp Er Tunga is a person who lived a life of wars. The epic tells that he was killed by cheating at the invitation of Keyhusrev, the ruler of the Persian Medes. It contains important information about the history of the Turks and reflects the cultural values of the Turks.
Migration Epic: It is an epic about the history of the Uighur people. This epic describes the events of the Turks, who were punished by God after giving their sacred stones to the Chinese, and emigrated from their homeland with the onset of hunger and drought. This epic is a continuation of the Türeyiş Epic and reflects the history of the Uighur people.
Epic of Creation: It is an epic about the creation of the universe, which belongs to the Altai tribes of the Turks. This epic is told among Turkish tribes and Altai Turks living in various parts of the Asian continent. It is considered the oldest among Turkish epics. The Epic of Creation was determined and written down by Radloff. They are poetic works that usually consist of several parts, describing the extraordinary actions of their heroes in an enthusiastic and ceremonial style. This epic is considered as one of the most important and interesting Turkish mythology data of the creation and descent epics told in the Altai Mountains. It is also in the area of interest of all Central Asia and Siberia.
Epic of Descent: It is an important legend about the history of the Turks. In the epic, two beautiful daughters of one of the ancient Hun rulers are told. The girls are so beautiful that Tengri created them to marry the gods. The ruler built a tower in the north of his country to keep his daughters away from people and imprisoned them in this tower. The Türeyiş Epic tells how the ruler prayed to God to marry his daughters, and eventually God came in the form of a gray wolf and married his daughters and gave birth to many children. The voice of these children was similar to the gray wolf voice and they multiplied by carrying the gray wolf spirit of their father.
