Research of the Altai epic Ochi Bala

Heroic epics have an important place in the Altai folklore system. The tradition of the Altai epic was formed in the archaic period and has reached the present day by developing over time. These epics are not only the intangible cultural work of the people, but also the passion power of the Altai Turks. They reveal the moral values of the people. The Ochi Bala epic is an epic whose heroine is a woman, of which we can see other examples among Altai Turks. Events in the epic develop around him. Epics with female protagonists are not much different from epics with male protagonists in terms of subject. This shows that women play an important role in the life of Altai Turks. The female protagonist Ochi Bala struggles against the enemy who wants to destroy her homeland, kidnap her numerous animals and take her white-faced people captive. It is his precious horse that helps him in this matter, protects him and gives him advice. In Turkish epics, the hero cannot be thought of without his horse. It reflects the cultural and historical experience accumulated over the centuries in the epic. This shows its uniqueness. In general, the Ochi Bala epic gives us the culture of Altai Turks as a whole. Here, Altai Turks' language, history, aesthetics, philosophy, lifestyle etc. we can see. As a result, we can think that the images of female warriors as a result of our hero's struggle are related to the matriarchal period.