Dede Korkut
A small glossary
Turkish words from the tales that you will meet in the stories and the podcast, explained in plain English.
Akın
raidA mounted expedition into enemy land, where young warriors often made their names.
Al kanatlı
red-wingedAn epithet used for Azrail, the Angel of Death.
Azrail
the Angel of DeathThe angel who takes souls. Deli Dumrul dares to challenge him.
Bayındır Han
Bayındır KhanThe khan of khans of the Oghuz, whose feasts open many tales.
Boy
tale; tribeBoth a tribe and each of the stories told by Dede Korkut.
Boylamak, soylamak
to tell the taleTo tell a tale and recite the heroes' lineage. At the end of every tale, Dede Korkut 'tells the tale and sings the lineage'.
Çoban
shepherdKeeper of the flocks, often a symbol of loyalty and courage in the tales.
Han
khanA ruler, the leader of the lords.
Hatun
lady; wifeA respected woman or a lord's wife. In the tales, the hatuns are wise, brave and listened to.
Hızır
HızırAn immortal sage who comes to the aid of those in need. He tells the wounded Boğaç what will heal him.
İç Oğuz, Dış Oğuz
Inner and Outer OghuzThe two branches of the Oghuz tribes; the last tale tells of the rift between them.
Kara otağ
black tentThe tent where those without children were seated at Bayındır Khan's feast.
Kopuz
kopuzThe bard's stringed instrument, considered an ancestor of the bağlama.
Oba
campThe place where a nomadic family or community pitches its tents.
Otağ
tent; pavilionA large tent, especially a khan's or lord's pavilion. White, red and black tents are set up separately at the feast.
Ozan
bardA poet and storyteller who performs with the kopuz. Dede Korkut is the wisest of them all.
Peri
fairyA supernatural being seen by springs and rivers. Tepegöz's mother is a fairy.
Soylama
soylamaThe rhythmic, poetic speech that heroes deliver at key moments.
Şölen
feastA great banquet. In the tales, decisions and events often begin at a feast.
Tekfur, tekür
lord of a fortressIn the tales, the lord of an enemy fortress.
Tutsak
captiveA prisoner; many tales tell of a captive's rescue.
Uçmak
paradiseUçmak is the old Turkish word for paradise; prayers say 'may his place be paradise'.
Yiğit
young warriorA brave, strong young man. Courage is how a name is earned.
