Samek Ayyar in the 16th Century Ottoman Storytelling Culture and the Munich Copy (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Cod. Turc 202)

Abstract

This article examines the Turkish narrative Dâsitân-ı Samek Ayyâr, a manuscript currently housed at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Cod.turc.202). The manuscript, a Turkish translation of the renowned Persian tale Samek Ayyâr, is presented for the first time in terms of its content, dimensions, page layout, and design characteristics. The introductory text of the manuscript offers valuable insights into its translation and production date. The manuscript appears to be closely related in content to the Turkish illustrated stories Kıssa-i Ferruhrûz (British Library Or.3298) and Kıssa-i Şehr-i Şatrân (Istanbul University Library T9303), both produced in the Ottoman palace during the late 16th century. The story of Dâsitân-ı Samek Ayyâr contributes signifinacantly to understanding the creative processes behind illustrated manuscripts produced in the Ottoman realm.

The Persian version of the Samek Ayyâr story, dated to the 14th century and currently housed at the Bodleian Library, consists of three consecutively prepared and illustrated volumes, highlighting the narrative’s extensive and elaborate nature. This provides an opportunity to explore how much of the story was integrated into the Ottoman literary sphere. The question of when Samek Ayyâr was introduced into Ottoman literature and which volumes of the narrative were translated into Turkish has, until now, remained unaddressed. This study seeks to trace the journey of the Samek Ayyâr narrative from the Persian literary tradition to the Ottoman cultural and artistic spheres, while also illuminating its connections with various manuscript versions. The 16th century stands out as a particularly dynamic period for the production and consumption of both illustrated and non-illustrated manuscripts in the story genre, supported by the patronage of rulers, courtiers, and bureaucrats. This article aims to elucidate the role of the Samek Ayyâr narrative within the literary and cultural context of the 16th-century Ottoman cultural and artistic milieu.