DIRECTORY 339
KÖROGLU, TURKIC
Turkic, 11th century CEThe figure of Köroglu is common
across Central Asian mythology. He
was born as Rusen Ali but gained
his other name, which means “son
of the blind man,” because his
father was blinded by an evil royal
governor. Köroglu was known for
his fierce desire for justice and
hatred of tyranny, which inspired
him to lead a revolt against the
governor, launching targeted raids
against him before disappearing
back into the countryside.
See also: The epic of Gilgamesh
190 –97 ■ The legendary foundation
of Korea 228–29 ■ Jumong 230–31EPIC OF MANAS
Kyrgyz, collected 18th century CEMore than 500,000 lines long, the
Epic of Manas is based on Kyrgyz
oral tradition. Its hero is Manas,
who united the Kyrgyz peoples
and led them to independence and
prosperity. Manas then conquered
neighboring areas and led
campaigns as far afield as Beijing.
Still recited by trained performers
called Manaschi, the epic goes on
to tell the story of his son Semetei
and grandson Seitek.
See also: Marduk and Tiamat
188–89 ■ The epic of Gilgamesh
190 –97 ■ The adventures of the
Monkey King 218–19PHA TRELGEN CHANGCHUP
SEMPA THE CREATOR
Tibetan, date unknownIn Tibetan mythology, one tale
seeks to explain the ancestry of the
Tibetan people. After a great flood,a monkey named Pha Trelgen
Changchup Sempa (“Father Old
Monkey Enlightenment-Intention”)
settled on a Tibetan mountain to
lead a life of meditation. A female
demon came to the monkey and
demanded to marry him. They had
six children who, with the waters
receding, lived in the forest. After a
few years, they numbered 500, and
were running out of food. They
asked their father for help and,
divinely inspired, he taught them
the practice of agriculture.
See also: The epic of Gilgamesh
190 –97 ■ The origins of the Baiga
212–13 ■ Fire and rice 226–27EPIC OF KING GESAR
Tibetan/Mongolian, 12th century CEAs an infant, Gesar was exiled
from the kingdom of Ling to the
desert by his cowardly uncle. At
the age of 12, Gesar returned to
Ling to compete in a horse race
that would decide who the next
ruler would be. Gesar won and
married the daughter of a local
chief. He then led a series of
victorious campaigns against
Ling’s enemies, which included
man-eating demons.
See also: The labors of Herakles
72–75 ■ The founding of Rome
102– 05 ■ The adventures of Loki
and Thor in Jötunheim 146–47THE DEVASURA YUDDHA
(WARS BETWEEN THE
HINDU GODS)
Indian, c. 8th century BCEIn Hindu mythology, benevolent,
virtuous deities came to be called
Devas, and more harmful, demonic
gods are called Asuras. The Rig
Veda and Ramayana both includethat overthrew him. Jamshid’s
descendant, Fereydun, ascended
the throne, and Zahhak was
imprisoned in a cave for eternity.
See also: Origin of the universe
18–23 ■ The founding of Rome
102– 05 ■ Marduk and Tiamat
188–89TENGRI THE CREATOR
Turkic/Mongol, 4th century CEMany Central Asian peoples,
including the Turkic and Mongol,
practice a shamanistic religion
called Tengriism with the sky god,
Tengri, at its center. It teaches that
before creation, the sky god was a
pure white goose who flew across
an endless ocean. Tengri created a
deity called Er Kishi to help him
create the universe. Er Kishi was
impure, trying to tempt people to
do evil, so Tengri sent sacred
animals to humans to guide them.
See also: Origin of the universe
18–23 ■ Ahura Mazda and Ahriman
198–99 ■ Spider Woman 238–39ASENA THE GREY WOLF
Turkic, c. 7th century CEThe Göktürks were a Turkic people
who dominated Central Asia from
the 6th to the 8th centuries. When
their capital city of Ötüken was
captured in 744 CE and their people
were slaughtered, only one boy was
left alive. He was badly injured and
would have died, but a she-wolf
called Asena nursed him back to
health. Eventually, he and Asena
had 10 sons; one of whom was the
founder of the Ashina clan, the
ruling power of the Göktürks.
See also: The founding of Rome
102– 05 ■ The cattle raid of Cooley
166 – 67 ■ Jumong 230–31US_336-343_Directory.indd 339 06/12/17 3:01 pm