Introduction
There is a mysterious figure who walks through the fog of history, whose identity has been debated for centuries. Some consider him a legend, others a myth, and some believe he was a real person. Who was Dede Qorqud? Was he a dervish, a bard, or a historical figure?
Legend or History?
When we read our epic "The Book of Dede Qorqud," we are introduced to a unique and wise bard: an old man who foretells future events, interprets the fate of the people, and speaks words filled with wisdom. This wise figure, remembered by the Oghuz people, becomes even more mysterious when we dig deeper into historical sources.
Traces of Reality
Some historians argue that Dede Qorqud was a real person. According to them, he lived during the 8th–9th centuries and was a famous bard among the Oghuz tribes. One of the main foundations for this theory is the appearance of his name in various sources. For example, the Orkhon-Yenisei inscriptions mention a bard similar to Dede Qorqud. We can also find references to him in some works from the Seljuk period.
The Legendary Qorqud
Others claim that Dede Qorqud is more of an epic character than a historical one. He emerged as a respected symbol of wisdom in Oghuz culture and gradually evolved into a mythological figure. In some stories, he is even described as someone who met a prophet.
His long life, profound wisdom, and counsel to tribal leaders led to his deification. Under Islamic influence, the image of Dede Qorqud was elevated to that of a great sage or even a saintly figure.
Dede Qorqud’s Message to Us
Regardless of whether he truly existed, Dede Qorqud offers us an important message: "There is wisdom in life, but to find it, one must listen a lot and read a lot." The wisdom he spoke, the epic tales of heroism, and the deep values he represented are still meaningful for us today.
Thus, Dede Qorqud remains a question in himself. We can accept him as a mythological character or as a real historical figure. But most importantly, he continues to live on as a prominent symbol in our culture.
As he once said:
“Those who cry come with tears, and leave with a smile. If you don’t laugh as much as you cried, don’t say the world belongs to you.”
“Do not cut off heads, cut off injustice.”
“The blame of the people is heavy—do not separate from the community.”
“My words are advice to you and to those after you.”
“A tree bends when it is young; a man is known by his word when he is young.”