Attitude Towards Women in Ancient Turkish Culture: The Example of Dede Korkut Stories

Abstract

Violence can be considered as the most anxiety-provoking behavior of human beings when their behavior is taken into account. Women are one of the groups with a high risk of being exposed to violence in society. When the causes of violence against women are analyzed, it is stated that one of them is traditions and customs. Do Turkish customs and traditions support violence against women? Based on this thought-provoking question, the attitude towards women in Ancient Turkish Culture will be examined in the light of Dede Korkut Stories, which is considered as one of the unique works of Turkish Literature. This work, which contains the social characteristics of its period and has the feature of being anonymous, consists of an introduction and twelve stories. In the study conducted with the document analysis technique, one of the qualitative research methods, attitudes and behaviors towards women were determined. According to the findings, it was concluded that women had a special position in the Old Turkish Culture. In the society, women who experienced problems similar to today's problems in ancient times were benefited from their ideas instead of being subjected to violence. Respect and love for women were not lacking and women were cherished. Women were accepted unconditionally and women were regarded as an "identity above society" who fulfilled their responsibilities, tidied up their homes and fought for the state and their husbands when necessary. In addition to these findings, sacred and extraordinary characteristics were also attributed to women. Based on the findings of the study, it is unacceptable to show Turkish customs as the reason that pushes people to violence against women in today's society. Within the scope of combating violence against women, which is shown as one of the major problems of today's society, the contents of Dede Korkut Stories can be utilized. The contents can be published in media organs easily accessible by the society.