Gurughli

Lore & Background

The Epic of Koroghlu, known in Turkmen as Görogly, tells the story of a hero who seeks to avenge a wrong. In Turkmen tradition, the epic is called Görogly, which translates as 'the son of a grave,' and holds a special place among Turkmen epics. The first 'chapter' describes a miraculous birth and heroic education, including raising a winged horse called Gyrat, building the Chandybil fortress, and gathering forty jigits (warriors). Later chapters involve marriage to a fairy-tale girl, peri Agaýunus, revenge on Arab-Reýhan for kidnapping his aunt, adoption of Ovez, and battles with enemy forces. The cycle ends with Görogly retiring to a cave in old age.

Reader's Guide

The Epic of Koroghlu is significant as a foundational cultural text for Turkic peoples, particularly the Oghuz Turks. Due to medieval migrations of Oghuz Turks across Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Asia Minor, the epic spread widely, producing Turkmen, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik, Azerbaijani, Turkish, Crimean Tatar, Georgian, Kurdish, and Armenian versions. In Turkmenistan, the epic is performed by dessanchy bagshy, who use narration, singing, vocal improvisation, and acting, and master instruments like the dutar and gyjak. The epic serves to educate the young, strengthen national identity, and transmit social values such as compassion, wisdom, generosity, hospitality, and loyalty. It is safeguarded through weddings, competitions, holidays, and international festivals, with bagshy passing knowledge from master to apprentice. The epic also influences traditional skills like breeding Akhal-Teke horses.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Koroghlu' means 'the son of the blind,' 'the son of ember,' or 'the son of the clay' in Turkic languages.
• The epic was often put to music and played at sporting events as an inspiration to athletes.
• The story has been told for many generations by 'bagshy' narrators in Turkmenistan and fighter Ashik bards in Azerbaijan and Turkey.