The concept of struggle in the Dede Korkut narratives

This study examines how the concept of struggle is articulated in the narratives of Dede Korkut. As one of the most significant products of the transition from epic tradition to folk narrative, The Book of Dede Korkut constitutes a fundamental source that reflects the values, social order, and way of life of Turkish culture. Within this framework, the aim of the study is to identify, classify, and evaluate the themes of struggle present in the Dede Korkut narratives. Although a text-centered approach is adopted, the interpretation of the phenomenon of struggle also draws upon its cultural context. Based on the Dresden, Vatican, and Turkmensahra manuscripts, the study addresses the phenomenon of struggle under five main categories: individual-centered struggle, interpersonal struggle, the individual's struggle with social norms, the individual's struggle with supernatural beings, and intersocietal struggle. The findings indicate that the concept of struggle in the narratives is not merely conflict-centered but constitutes a fundamental component of the processes of identity formation and maturation. It is noteworthy that the heroes' acquisition of names, attainment of status, and achievement of social recognition are realized through struggle. Inter-societal struggles, on the other hand, function to reinforce the sense of unity and cultural continuity of Oghuz society. Consequently, in the Dede Korkut narratives, the phenomenon of struggle represents a multidimensional process that gains meaning on both individual and social levels and serves as a key element in comprehending the intellectual structure of the texts.