The Role of the Epics Kitabi-Dede Gorgud in Preserving Common Turkic Ethnic-National Ideas

Abstract

The article analyzes the fundamental role played by the epics “Kitabi-Dede Gorgud” in the preservation and development of the pan-Turkic ethnic-national ideas from a scientific and theoretical perspective. The study shows that these epics, which are the common spiritual wealth of the Turkic peoples, are not only carriers of historical memory, but also act as an important means of protecting national identity, cultural heritage and ideological values. Motifs such as heroism, loyalty to the homeland, family and community unity, religious and spiritual attachment, reflected in the epics, occupy a central place in the process of formation of the Turkish ethnos. The article examines the function of these motifs in the pan-Turkic system of thought, and justifies their relevance in terms of time and space. As a result of the study, it is determined that the epics “Kitabi-Dede Gorgud” act as a common cultural codex not only of the Azerbaijani Turks, but also of the Turkic peoples as a whole, and are of strategic importance in terms of preserving the pan-Turkic identity and passing it on to new generations. At the same time, epics are considered an important intellectual and symbolic resource in the modern Turkic world for strengthening the foundations of national ideology and deepening cultural integration.