Elements
Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, epic culture, folk tales and music
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00000152 Country Turkey,Kazakhstan,Azerbaijan ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Performing Arts Social practices, rituals, festive events Address Element is widely practiced throughout most of the territories of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey. More specifically: Azerbaijan: Element is practiced and transmitted by communities in all the regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially in the capital city Baku, as well as in the regions of Absheron, Sheki, Zaqatala, Shirvan, Ganja, Karabakh, Zengilan, Aghdam, Kalbajar, Lachin, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Gabala, Guba, Khachmaz, Shamkir, Yevlakh, Saatli, Oghuz, Neftchala, Salyan, Nakhchivan and many others. Kazakhstan: Territory where performance of Korkyt Ata kuys is actively practiced, is located in Kyzylorda region. The main areas where Korkyt Ata's kuy traditions as well as historical information about the personality of Korkyt Ata are best safeguarded – are Kazalinsky and Karmakchi districts of Kyzylorda region. It is believed that Korkyt Ata was a native of the steppe along the Syr-Darya and his tomb is on the bank of this river at Karmakchi district of Kyzylorda region. Also, in various regions of Kazakhstan there are well-known Kobyzshi who perform Korkyt kuy: in Zhambyl, Almaty and South Kazakhstan regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty and Astana cities. Turkey: The element is practiced in Northeast provinces of Turkey such as district of Kağızman in Kars, Ardahan, Erzurum, district of Maçka in Trabzon. In Central and Southern parts of Turkey, tales of Deli Dumrul and Bamsı Beyrek are also narrated by tale tellers. The element is also practiced in Malatya province. Tales, legends, stories, social and religious values mentioned in epics of Dede Korkut are kept alive in Malatya’s oral expression and cultural memory. It is believed, that Dede Korkut’s and one of the hero from the epics named Bamsı Beyrek’s tomb is in Bayburt province district of Masat. In general, element is practiced in all geographical regions of Turkey in various ways of cultural expressions and traditions.
| Description | The epic, folk and musical heritage of Dede Qorqud/ Korkyt Ata/ Dede Korkut is based on twelve heroic legends, stories and tales and 13 traditional musical compositions (in Kazakhstan, Kuys of Korkyt Ata) that have been shared and transmitted from generations to generations, through oral expressions, performing arts, cultural codes and musical compositions. The element contains social, cultural, moral values such as heroism, dialogue, physical and spiritual wellness and unity as well as respect to nature that are still maintained by all parts of society Dede Qorqud /Korkyt Ata/ Dede Korkut appears in each story as a legendary character and is a wise person, a sage of minstrels whose words, music and expressions of wisdom are related to traditions of birth, marriage and death. In Korkyt's musical compositions, the main intonations are reproduced on Kobyz (musical instrument), through the sounds of nature, and imitations of soundscapes are characteristic for this medium, e.g. imitation of the howl of a wolf, a swan's note, a horse's run, the whoosh of an arrow, a dog's yawl, a baby's cry, a lullaby, etc. The feature of Korkyt's musical compositions is their interconnection with each other through the epic stories which accompany each musical composition. The element was safeguarded due to its bearers – community of epic and tale narrators and music performers. Today, the element is transmitted in two ways: informal – within the family or community, and formal - in various educational institutions. From family events to national and international festivities the element is sustained and practiced during a wide variety of occasions in various cultural spaces and therefore it is well rooted in society. For the Turkic speaking communities, the element is the connecting thread of generations and unites them today. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Community of epic, folk tale narrators and music performers consider heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut as cultural heritage for which they take personal responsibility. Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut provides them with a sense of cultural and social identity. Joint performances enhance mutual respect and social solidarity among communities. In Azerbaijan, people having broad knowledge of the epic heritage of Dede Qorqud and being able to quote extracts from the epic stories in old Oghuz Azerbaijani language are highly respected within the society. In Kazakhstan, great importance heritage of Korkyt Ata was given to the development of Kazakh musical and poetic art. The communities believe that the Kuys of Korkyt Ata, which we can still hear today in various holidays, social gatherings and ets., give people a strong sense of patriotism, contributing to the shaping of national identities. In Turkey, Dede Korkut is perceived as a significant social figure today. The cultural codes and attitudes stemming from the stories of Dede Korkut hold a prestigious place in the society which demonstrates wisdom, mutual understanding and virtue. As a strong figure of daily life today, there are sculptures of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut in cities such as İstanbul, Kyzylorda, Astana, Bayburt, Malatya and Baky. his name, name of characters and tribes from his epics like “Korkut”, “Oğuz”, “Boğaç”, “Selcen” and “Salur” are commonly given to babies. Also his name and tribes name from epics are given to public spaces like streets, schools, libraries, parks, quarters and to administrative units like “Dede Korkut Street”, “Korkyt Ata Quarter”, “Park of Dede Qorqud”, “Salur Village”, “University of Korkut Ata” as a reminder of strong social belonging and cultural identity. Social and cultural functions that are stressed in the element, like, importance of family, role of women in society, sharing, solidarity, hospitality, fairness, honesty and respect to other people from different social and cultural backgrounds are basic principles of the element. As a component of formal education, the element contains profound knowledge about history and culture of Turkic speaking communities, the interaction between human and nature, which in turn, strengthens cultural and social ties and lays the foundations of an environmental worldview. Festive events related to the element take place in many cities of the Turkic speaking communities. These events unite people from different social , age, and gender strengthen their social ties, promote awareness and ensure the continuity of the cultural identity of the community and the population. |
| Transmission method | Today, the knowledge and skills of the element are transmitted in various ways. Basic form of transmitting the element is the non-formal system, within the community, from masters to apprentices. Most epic and tale narrators and music performers transmit the knowledge and skills to their apprentices. Also, masters teach basic stories, rhythmic forms of kobyz playing and many other skills, which are perfected during public performances. Cultural spaces of performances vary from local holidays to national celebrations. Proverbs and expressions of wisdom, content of the element, are commonly used by all segments of society and are transmited to next generation. Parents and grandparents narrate contents of the element, like stories and tales, to younger generations of their familiy members for joy and in order to teach social and cultural values, transmitted for centuries. While the element is transmitted by oral expressions, there is a manuscript book of compiled version of prologue, 12 stories. Thus, these 12 stories are the basic resources of written and oral expression for transmission. The contents of these stories are used for transmitting the element to younger generations through formal and informal education, modern literature, media and internet. From primary schools to universities, the stories are transmitted via curriculums. Parents transmit their knowledge about the element to young generations within their families, children listen to the tales and ask questions and discuss the contents with their parents. By organising activities based on the element, ICH museums, NGOs and student clubs at universities play an important role for transmission. Media and internet are also strong components of transmission especially for modern literature, the themes of stories that are written in these books are broadcasted as documentary series and cartoons for children. |
| Community | Main bearers and practitioners of the element are: communities of epic, folk tales narrators and music performers. In Azerbaijan: Dede Qorqud epic narrators and storytellers. Community bearers of element are members of a number of non-governmental organizations, such as Yazichilar Biriliyi NGO, Simurg NGO and Yaradici Teshebbusler Public Union.. In Kazakhstan: Community of music performers of Korkyt Ata kuys (other name Kobyzshi) with traditional instrument Kobyz. Great contribution to safeguarding of the element is made also by representatives of Korkyt Ata Ata kuys researches' community: PF “Intangible heritage of the Turkic world"", Center of Korkyttanu of the Kyzylorda State University. In Turkey: Minstrels and bards, who believe minstrelsy tradition emerged from epics of Dede Korkut, tale tellers called “Masalcılar” that narrate tales from epics of Dede Korkut, Meddahs that narrate the epics of Dede Korkut in their public storytelling traditions. In all 3 countries relevant experts, academicians from formal and informal educational institutions and NGOs who contributed to its safeguarding and promotion at local and national level. In general, the entire population of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey represent the element by practicing its tradition in formal and informal education and daily life. Heritage of Dede Qorqud/ Korkyt Ata/ Dede Korkut: Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music brings a strong sense of cultural belonging and collective memory to many Turkic speaking communities, as a profound symbol of their common cultural codes. |
| Type of UNESCO List | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List | 2018 |
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