Dede Korkut, Epic and Identity

Mehmet Günenç

ABSTRACT

Most nations have epics. Because epics have an important function in forming nations' identities. Epics are important in the unity of nations around heroism. Epic of Dede Korkut has an important place in the Turks living in Turkey. Besides, Dede Korkut is a literary example in which not only heroism but also moral advice are displayed. What makes Dede Korkut significant is its synthesis of Turkishness with Islam. An important issue is that the modern era aims to keep religion and national elements separate, causing an identity problem. These issues will be evaluated in our article.