ETHNOPSYCHOLOGICAL MEMORY AND COMMON MOTIVES IN THE POETRY OF AHMED YASAWI AND SULEIMAN HAKIM ATA

Abstract

This article examines the spiritual and literary continuity between Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, the founder of the Yasawi Sufi tradition, and his prominent disciple Suleyman Hakim Ata (Bakyrgani). The study analyzes their religious-philosophical views, their role in disseminating Sufi teachings among Turkic peoples, and the common themes reflected in their works. Special attention is given to Ahmed Yassawi’s contribution to the development of Turkiclanguage literary tradition and the preservation of Turkic cultural identity during a period when Arabic and Persian dominated the literary sphere. The article explores key Sufi concepts such as spiritual maturation, the struggle against the nafs (ego), the path of irshad, and the master-disciple relationship as represented in the hikmets of both thinkers. Drawing upon literary texts, historical accounts, and hagiographical narratives, the study reveals the ideological and artistic connections between Yassawi and Hakim Ata. It concludes that their legacy played a significant role in shaping Turkic Sufi literature and continues to serve as an important source of spiritual and cultural values in the Turkic world.