Abstract
The Reflection of Wolf Ancestor Cult in Turkish Epics on Anatolia within the Context of Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Example of Safranbolu
Today, Turks, which have spread over a wide geography, have taken their traditions, cultures and beliefs to these new geographies and managed to maintain their old beliefs albeit minor changes. Each nation has its own cultural codes. These codes distinguish nations from the other nations. Cults of ancestors and grey wolf are among the cultural codes peculiar to Turkish nation. These cults hold an important place in the Turkish belief system. Sometimes, the cult of ancestor and the grey wolf cult merged at the same root. Grey wolf is one of the most important motif in the pre-Islamic Turkish legends, such as Oghuz Khan, Ergenekon, or Grey Wolf legends. The cult of wolf, which stems from the same root as the cult of ancestors, has been an essential part of the today’s Anatolian culture. In this paper the cult of the wolves and ancestors which dates back to the ages BC and Kurt Dede Tomb in Safranbolu will be examined.
Keywords
Safranbolu, Cult of ancestors, Cult of grey wolf, Kurt Dede.
