The Verbal Declaration of Ceremony: Töreli Turkish Literature in Founding and Contemporary Texts
Chapter from the book: Çark, Ö. & Uçgan, N. (eds.) 2025. Interdisciplinary Töreli Scientific Studies I.

Erhan Çapraz
Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University

Synopsis

Töreli Turkish Literature is the general name for the approach that embraces the unification of ancient töres under a literary framework. The essence of the töre is determined by Allah (C.C). Therefore, literary tradition experiences a process of formation and evolution directly tied to the realm of truth, the essence of which is determined by Allah (C.C). Works such as the Orhun Âbideleri, Kutadgu Bilig, Dîvânu Lugâti't-Turk, Atebetü'l-Hakâyık, Dîvân-ı Hikmet, and Kitâb-ı Dedem Korkut, all possess a purely Töreli character. These generally begin with the word "Allah" (God's Majesty) and the symbolism of the letter "be," meaning the Besmele. Naturally, the Karahanlı-era Turkish translations of the Quran also had a significant influence on this. But in any case, within the realm of Töreli literature, there exists a literary tradition bound to the realm of truth determined by the Quran and the Sunnah. Unfortunately, during the establishment of the new state, a barrier was erected between the literary tradition and this realm. Therefore, it is essential that the literary tradition regain its true and authentic identity. Of course, there have always been, and will always be, related Töreli literary activities within the tradition. In this context, this article first evaluates how töres and Turkish issues are addressed in founding texts of Töreli Turkish Literature, such as the Orhun Âbideleri, Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, Kutadgu Bilig, Atebetü’l-Hakâyık, Dîvân-ı Hikmet, and Kitâb-ı Dedem Korkut. Then, in the second section, the concept of Töreli Turkish Literature and the fundamental aspects of ceremonies in contemporary texts are examined. In short, by closely examining Töreli Turkish Literature, the possibilities of this literature are examined, and some proposals are made for their reemergence within the Töreli literary tradition.

How to cite this book

Çapraz, E. (2025). The Verbal Declaration of Ceremony: Töreli Turkish Literature in Founding and Contemporary Texts. In: Çark, Ö. & Uçgan, N. (eds.), Interdisciplinary Töreli Scientific Studies I. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub671.c4886

License

Published

February 27, 2025

DOI