Ayaz Ata (, , , , , , , ) is a winter god originating from

Tengrism Tengrism (also known as Tengriism, Tengerism, or Tengrianism) is a belief-system originating in the Eurasian steppes, based on shamanism and animism. It generally involves the titular sky god Tengri. According to some scholars, adherents of ...

Türk Söylence Sözlüğü (Turkish Mythology Dictionary), Deniz Karakurt, (OTRS: CC BY-SA 3.0) and a fictional tale character that it represents who is basically a more Turkic version of

Santa Claus Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...

or Ded Moroz.

In Mythology

The literal translation of the name would be ''Frost Father'', although the name is often translated as ''Grandfather Frost''. He's the winter god in Tengrism and according to

Turkic mythology Turkic mythology refers to myths and legends told by the Turkic people. It features Tengrism, Tengrist and Shamanism in Central Asia, Shamanist strata of belief along with many other social and cultural constructs related to the nomadic and wa ...

is created of Moon light, caused by cold weather and associated with bringing snow, protecting people from too cold weather and "waking the nature up from its sleep".

Features

Literary depictions of Ayaz Ata commonly show him accompanied by Kar Kız (Tatar: ''Кар Кызы'' or ''Qar Qızı'' means "Snow Girl" or "Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper, sometimes with influence of Slavic Snegurochka, who is often depicted in long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ayaz Ata because no traditional gift-givers from other cultures, besides Ded Moroz, are portrayed with a similar companion.

Versions

Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijani, Ayaz Ata is known as Şaxta Baba ( English: ''Grandfather Frost'') and his companion grandchild is known as ''Qar Qızı'', who Şaxta Baba brings gifts to children at

New Year's Eve In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve refers to the evening, or commonly the entire day, of the last day of the year, 31 December, also known as Old Year's Day. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated with dancing, eating, drinkin ...

with together. Every December, actors playing Şaxta Baba and Qar Qızı stand next to a

Christmas tree A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen pinophyta, conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, associated with the celebration of Christmas. It may also consist of an artificial tree of similar appearance. The custom was deve ...

( or ''Yeni il ağacı'') at

Baku Boulevard Baku Boulevard (, also known as National Park) is a promenade established in 1909 which runs parallel to Baku's seafront. Its history goes back more than 100 years, to a time when Baku oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian Sea, Caspi ...

and other attractions in Baku, giving away presents to and taking pictures with children. Since 2014 however, every actor needs a license costing up to $75.

Bashkortostan and Tatarstan

In Bashkir and Tatar, Ayaz Ata is known as Ҡыш бабай/Кыш бабай (''Qïş babay''/''Kïş babay'', literally: ''Winter'' ''Father''), and his granddaughter is as ''Ҡарһылыу'' (''Qarhïlïw'', ''Snow beauty'').

Yakutia

Chyskhaan () is known as the master of cold, accompanied by the snow maiden ''Khaarchana'' () in

Yakutia Sakha, officially the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), is a republics of Russia, republic of Russia, and the largest federal subject of Russia by area. It is located in the Russian Far East, along the Arctic Ocean, with a population of one million ...

. He is very similar to Ded Moroz, however a more "East Asian" version of him.Стрела; Дед Мороз и все-все-вс�
Якутия - Чисхан
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Central Asia

Аяз Ата (Ayaz Ata) is the same term used in both Kazakh and Kyrgyz, while the

Uzbeks The Uzbeks () are a Turkic peoples, Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia, being among the largest Turkic ethnic groups in the area. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, next to Kazakhs, Kazakh and Karakalpaks, Karakalpak ...

and

Turkmens Turkmens (, , , ) are a Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia, living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern regions of Iran and north-western Afghanistan. Sizeable groups of Turkmens are found also in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, ...

use Ayoz Bobo/Aýaz Baba, replacing the word for father with grandfather. The term for Snow girl however is different in all 4 languages (, , , )

References

{{reflist

External links

Russian Ded Moroz and Kyrgyz Ayaz Ata

Turkic legendary creatures Sky and weather gods az:Şaxta Baba cv:Хĕл Мучи hu:Télapó mhr:Йӱштӧ Кугыза uz:Ayoz Bobo tt:Кыш бабай azb:آیاز آتا