Abstract
GREETINGS IN THE EPIC OF BAMSI BEYREK
Greeting is an act which is as old as the history of humanity. In the first periods of history people expressed the act of greeting via gestures and mimics and later on they started utilizing “language” which we call secret agreement systems. Act of greeting involves sincerity, warmth and companionship. Thus, we can easily understand that a person who greets is not an enemy.
“Selâm” is an Arabic word and it not only implies a peaceful atmosphere but also sincerity and friendship. After the acceptance of Islam, religious phrases such as “selâmün aleyküm, esselâmü aleyküm, aleyküm selâm, Allahı’n selâmı üzerine olsun” were common in the Turkish communities whereas the following generations also preferred non-religious phrases such as “hi, thanks, good morning, what’s up? what’s going on?”
We will try to evaluate the direction of “greeting” The Epic of Bamsı Beyrek is the third epic in the Book of Dede Qorqut which is widely known as Kam Püre Oğlu Bamsı Beyrek Boyu. One can come across this epic in different literary genre forms and in different names across the Turkishness geography from the Adriatic to the Great Wall of China.
“Bamsı Beyrek Boyu” is a piece of epic which embodies limitless elements regarding the Turkish culture. Today, while it sustains the epical nature in the east of Lake Caspian, it has turned into more of a folktale and tale forms in the western parts. Our study will lay emphasis on the act of greeting in folk narrations that are known as “Alpamış”, Alıp Manaş” among the eastern Turks; as “Bamsı Beyrek, Bey Böyrek, Dengi Boz, Şah Kasım” among the western Turks.
Keywords
Bamsı Beyrek, epic, greeting, version, contact.