Korkut the Elder, famous Bard and Shaman of the Oghuz tribes

Korkut the elder (Dede Korkut, Korkut ata) is one of the most prominent heroes from Turkic mythology. He is a shaman, a bard, a sorcerer and grand vizier to many Khans of Turkic Oghuz tribes. In some cases he even makes political agreements with one eyed giants as a peace maker of Oghuz tribes. Thus he is very similar to Arthurian Merlin and Taliesin. Korkut’s deadliest enemy was the Death himself. He manage to deceive death by playing his magical instrument for centuries and even fairies came under control of these magical melodies. There are several endings of his story which includes death of Korkut and contrary, Korkut became immortal. Book of Dede Korkut which has been written between from 14-16.century AD by several Anatolian Turkish beyliks contains many stories which reflects the pagan mindset of nomadic Turks with Korkut as the protagonist among other Turkic heroes.