4.7.2 Literature Although most regions that converted to Islam adopted Arabic as their language, the Ottomans were different. They kept their Turkish language for day-to-day use but used Arabic script for writing. Ottoman literature was, therefore, influenced by traditional Turkish language, the Arabic language of Islam and the Persian language of neighbouring regions. Some Ottoman poets such as Fuzuli (c. 1483–1556) could write fluently in all three languages, while others who wrote mainly in Turkish would borrow words from Persian and Arabic. The epics One favourite form of literature was the epic. These were written down in the thirteenth century but were based on an oral tradition going back over hundreds of years to when the Turks were nomads in Central Asia. One of these epics was called The Book of Dede Korkut . It includes the story of a young prince, Uruz, who was captured by Georgians when his father was out hunting near the Georgian border (see SOURCE5 ). These works were usually in Turkish and were meant to be sung. Poetry dealt with basic human emotions; some common themes were the value of country life, the search for love and homesickness. However, some of the songs were religious. One of the most renowned composers was Yunus Emre (c. 1238–1320) (see SOURCE6 ). He still influences Turkish poetry today.
SOURCE5 An extract from The Book of Dede Korkut . Kazan returns from a hunting expedition without his son, and his wife questions him. My prince, my warrior, Kazan! You rose up from your place and stood, With your son you leaped on to your black-maned Kazilik horse, You sent out [to] hunt over the great mountains with their lovely folds, You caught and laid low the long-necked deer, You loaded them on to your horses and turned homeward. Two you went and one you came; where is my child? Where is my child whom I got in the dark night? My one prince is not to be seen, and my heart is on fire. Kazan, have you let the boy fall from the overhanging rocks? Have you let the mountain-lion eat him? Or have you let him meet the infidel of dark religion?
SOURCE6 A devotional poem by Yunus Emre, translated by Taner Baybars
Knowledge is to understand To understand who you are. If you know not who you are What’s the use of learning? The aim in learning is To understand God’s Truth. Because without knowledge It is wasted hard labour. Do not say: I know it all, I am obedient to my God. If you know not who God is
That is sheer idle talk. Twenty-eight syllables
You read from end to end. You name the first ‘alpha’ What can it possibly mean? Yunus Emre says also Let me receive what I need. The best possible thing Is to find perfect peace.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator