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Azerbaijani mythology is an example of folk mythology containing archaic elements, developed by Azerbaijanis throughout the centuries.

Azerbaijani mythology is embodied explicitly in a large collection of narratives and implicitly in representational arts, such as vase painting and votive gifts.

Key texts

The mythology of Azerbaijan is not of systematic and full character in comparison with that of the ancient Hindu mythology or Greek mythology but it is possible to find out the traces of Azerbaijan mythology in Azerbaijani folklore.

The elements of Azerbaijani mythology

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Heroism and wisdom

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Azerbaijani myths often reveal the heroism and wisdom of a human being as in Epic of Köroğlu, Book of Dede Korkut and Əsli və Kərəm.

Supernatural beings

• Meshe Adam (Template:Lang-az), sometimes known as Ağac Kişi (literally tree man or forest man) is according to Azerbaijani and Karachay mythology is spirit, who lives in mountainous forests. It often represented in the form of hairy creatures of both sexes, having an intermediate between ape and a human face with a sharp odor. It was believed that during search of food, Meshe Adam goes under cover of to the gardens and orchards during night time, while putting on a discarded human clothes. According to some researchers, the image Meshe Adam is a variant of the legend of the snowman.
• Gulyabani (Template:Lang-az) is evil spirit, who lives in desert and cemeteries. According to Azerbaijani and Turkish researchers, Gulyabani's main occupation was scaring night travellers, while he had features of a werewolf at night. He was also loves riding horses, while mixing horses mane. According to the legend, Gulyabani will work for humans, if person can penetrate with needle his collar. But at the same time he will serve all the orders of master as vice versa. In the western regions of Azerbaijan, Gulyabani often identified as malicious spirit of water Ardov.
• Tepegoz (Template:Lang-az) is an Azerbaijani mythical creature similar to the cyclops Polyphemus.

Relations with other mythological systems

Azerbaijani mythology is perhaps closest to Turkic mythology and Persian mythology, and according to the prevalent point of view, Azerbaijanis shared the same myths and basic features of their religion with the Iranian peoples. On the other hand, individual elements have much in common with other mythological systems, and especially with those of neighbouring cultures.

See also

• Azerbaijani literature
• Turkic mythology

References

1. Yeni ədəbiyyat tariximizin ilk cildləri Template:Az icon
2. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan: Folklore
3. “Koroğlu”ya ümumtürk məhəbbəti
4. Азербайджанская литература 5-18 вв. Template:Ru icon
5. "Mother-of-All-Books": Dada Gorgud
6. Мифы народов мира. Энциклопедия. Т.1. «Советская энциклопедия», 1991. ISBN 5-85270-016-9
7. Кавказская мифология/Азербайджанская мифология — Агач Киши
8. Кавказская мифология/Азербайджанская мифология — гюль-ябани Template:Ru icon
9. C. S. Mundy (1956). "Polyphemus and Tepegöz". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 18 (2): 279–302.
10. Təpəgöz Template:Az icon
11. Anaz Radio Voice of South Azerbaijan: Folklor Template:Az icon

• Azerbaijani mythology
• Turkic mythology
• Azerbaijani culture