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- Our knowledge
about the creator of Great Turkish epic, Dede Korkut, is inadequate. The rumors say that
Dede Korkut, also known as Korkut-Ata, is the son of Kara Hoca from Bayat Clan of
Oghuzes.It is understood from his epics that he was born in the place where Sir-Derya
river discharged into Aral Lake in Turkistan and lived between 9th and 11th centuries, had
a son named Ürgeç Dede, was respected much by Oghuz Turks, and acted as consultant and
counselor for Turkish Khans ruling in these regions.The stories of Dede Korkut, which were
widely known by Turks and told to each other, were gathered in a book named Dede Korkut
Kitabı (Dede Korkut Book) in Akkoyunlu period in 15th centuries and so was written. The
compiler of the epics gives the following information about Dede Korkut in the
introduction of the book and reports his following advice: (A brave man called Korkut
Ata appeared from Bayat Clan. That person was the informer of Oghuz. What he said
happened. He gave various news from the future...) (Korkut Ata settled all problems
of Oghuz tribe. They did nothing without advice of Korkut Ata. They accepted what he
ordered. They kept his word and said okay...)
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(Dede Korkut said: Snow in
large flakes does not remain until summer, green grass with spring wool does not remain
until fall. Old cotton does not become cloth, old enemy does not become friend. You cannot
proceed if you do not use your horse like a black ram, enemy does not turn back without
black steel unsheathed sword, name of brave man is not heard if he does not spend his
property. Daughter does not take advice if she does not see her mother do it, son does not
serve a meal if he does not see his father doing so. Son succeeds to his father, one of
his two eyes. If he is a good son, he is ember of his fireplace..) (Dede Korkut said
again: Despicable youth cannot get on a purebred horse while walking hard, if he gets on
he would better not get down. It is better if despicable youth does not strike a
unsheathed good sword... A stick is better than arrow and sword for he, who is able to
strike. It is better if black houses with no guests are destroyed... It is better that
bitter grass which horses do not eat, does not grow. It is better that bitter water which
human does not drink, does not leak... )
- There are twelve epics in the
book of Dede Korkut. These are both the best examples of Turkish language and the most
definite documents illuminating Turkish spirit and thought. Dede Korkut depicts Oghuz
Turks, their beliefs, their lifestyles, traditions and habits, bravery, sound character
and morals, spiritual deepness with a pure Turkish. There is the clear and fluent rhythm
and touching atmosphere of played kopuzes in his poems in his epics. In Bamsı Böyrek
Epic, Bey calls out to the lover of Böyrek after him as follows:
- Vay al duvağımın sahibi,
- Vay alnımın başımın umudu.
- Vay şah yiğidim, şahbaz yiğidim,
- Doyuncaya dek yüzüne bakamadığım
- Han yiğit...
- Göz açıp ta gördüğüm,
- Gönül ile sevdiğim,
- Bir yastığa baş koyduğum
- Yolunda öldüğüm, kurban olduğum
- Can yiğit...
- Dede Korkut always
advises goodness and honesty with his heroes. He is always with the weak and desperate.
They do not know tricks, they speak the truth and do what they promise. His epics
inculcates unity and association of Turkish nation, national solidarity, and cooperation.
- These epics in these
books read for centuries survived in Eastern and Middle Anatolia with various
variations. In many regions of Anatolia, the stories and epics told by the people
are much influenced by Dede Korkut.
- There are two
handwritten copies of Dede Korkut Kitabı, the main source of our national epics, one in
Dresden and the other in Vatikan. Dede Korkut Kitabı was published in our country and in
several foreign countries for several times and was translated based on these originals.
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