The study of the functions of animals in the tatar-Bashkir-Chuvash epics

Epics are one of the important elements of the oral tradition that shed light on the cultures and histories of nations. Epics that reflect the way nomadic communities live are a valuable cultural heritage that the next generation has. The tradition of epicism has played a big role in gaining the consciousness of the Turkish tribes to become a nation. In this study, two volumes of Tatar epics published by the Turkish language institution, four volumes of Bashkir epics and three Chuvash epics were scanned and the functions of animal motifs in these epics were examined. In the epic, it was attempted to reveal the functions of the animal species that take place in the epic and the place of the hero in his journey. The study is intended to be a source for other studies about the Tatar - Bashkir - Chuvash epics.