All tales / Tale 3
Bamsı Beyrek
Bamsı Beyrek, Son of Kam Büre
Promised to Banıçiçek since the cradle, Beyrek is taken captive on his wedding night. Sixteen years later he returns home in disguise.
The story
Thanks to the prayers of the Oghuz lords, Kam Büre has a son and Bay Biçen has a daughter, and the two are promised to each other in the cradle. At fifteen, Beyrek single-handedly wins back the goods of merchants robbed by the enemy, and Dede Korkut names him Bamsı Beyrek.
While hunting, Beyrek meets Banıçiçek. They race horses, shoot arrows and wrestle; Beyrek wins, and they exchange rings. Her brother Deli Karçar demands a thousand male camels, a thousand stallions, a thousand rams, a thousand tailless dogs and a thousand fleas. Dede Korkut's fleas send Karçar running, and the wedding is prepared.
On the wedding night, the lord of Bayburt castle attacks, and Beyrek is taken captive with thirty-nine companions. Sixteen years pass. Yaltacuk, son of the Liar, brings a bloodstained shirt, claims Beyrek is dead and tries to marry Banıçiçek.
Hearing the news, Beyrek escapes with the help of the castle lord's daughter. He comes to the wedding disguised as a minstrel and draws his own bow, which no one else can bend; Banıçiçek knows him by his ring. Beyrek forgives the liar, rides against the castle with the Oghuz lords to free his thirty-nine friends, and the wedding is held at last.
What this tale is about
Characters
Bamsı Beyrek
Son of Kam Büre. Even after sixteen years in captivity, he never forgets his promise.
Banıçiçek
Promised to Beyrek in the cradle. She rides, shoots and wrestles, and waits for years without losing hope.
Kam Büre
Beyrek's father. Grieving for his son, he loses his sight.
Deli Karçar
Banıçiçek's hot-tempered brother, who asks for a thousand fleas as a bride price.
Yaltacuk
The liar who claims Beyrek is dead and tries to marry Banıçiçek.
Dede Korkut
The bard who names Beyrek and asks for Banıçiçek's hand on his behalf.
Listen to this tale
Bamsi Beyrek, Son of Kam Bure
Promised to Banu Chichek since the cradle, Beyrek is taken captive on his wedding night. Sixteen years later he comes home disguised as a minstrel, draws the bow no one else can bend, and keeps his promise.
To talk about as a family
A promise is not forgotten even after many years, while a lie burns out one day.
