BATTLE CEREMONIES IN "KITABI-DADE GORGUD"

Abstract

"Kitabi-Dede Gorgud" is one of the masterpieces of all-Turkish epic epic thinking. It is known that in heroic epics, the hero's activities, journeys, battles, and victories are the main issues. In this sense, in heroic epics, the preparations for the battle, the organization of the battle, the progress of the battle, including the ceremonies held after the battle are of interest. In the article, these points regarding the battle rituals in the epic are brought to attention. Oghuz braves always "bee ablutions from water" before the battle with the enemy. He puts his white forehead on the ground and prays two rakats. The name brings blessings to the beautiful Muhammad. He takes refuge in God and attacks the enemy hoping for God's help." The performance of this ceremony before battle in many parts of the saga confirms that it was a ritual. When Oghuz braves were preparing for battle, before the battle, "regiments were closed" and the troops were lined up according to a certain order. After that, "pipes were played and drums were beaten." This ceremony is sometimes expressed in epic texts in the form of "kose hit, pipe passed". When the battle begins, the Oghuz "beat drums". They play pipes with golden crowns. One of the military ceremonies observed in the saga is related to the ancient fighting technique of the Turks. Oghuz heroes attacked the enemy from 3 different directions – from the right, left and center, taking the shape of a crescent in battle. One of the battle rituals used in the saga is related to "crime". We find this in several chapters of the saga. The heroes who met on the battlefield would choose an opponent from the other side to fight. This encounter took place before the battle began and decided the fate of the battle. The expression "to crack the comb" used in the saga should be understood as the bullying that the parties do to scare each other before the battle. Another interesting point related to the battle ritual in the epic is the development of the phrase "Oghuz Begs became my wedding". This phrase is a fossilized remnant of the military ceremony performed after the battle. According to the military laws of the Oghuzs, the Bayindir Khan must share the spoils obtained after the battle, and "they took out pancik". During the battle, they would not touch the surrendering enemy. They treated the captives fairly. Even the epic heroes some­times freed slaves in their best days. And most importantly, after the victory, the Oghuz heroes definitely return to their homeland.