Keçəl
Azerbaijani · mortal · Azerbaijani traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Keçəl, the bald-headed one, is a beloved figure of Azerbaijani folk narrative in two linked guises. In the wonder-tales he is the underestimated bald youth who, mocked for his appearance, triumphs over divs, kings and the rich through sheer cleverness, a cousin of the Anatolian Keloğlan. In seasonal ritual he is the companion and comic foil of Kosa, the two forming the paired leads of the Kosa-kosa play performed before Novruz, where their banter and horseplay frame the drama of winter's death and spring's return.
Domains
- trickery and wit
Powers
- overcomes giants and lords by cunning
Relations
- companion: KosaKeçəl is the bald foil who partners Kosa in the Novruz spring play.Bəhlul Abdulla & Tahir Orucov, Novruz bayramı ensiklopediyası, Baku, 2008 (secondary)
Sources
- Keçəl, the bald trickster, is both a stock clever hero of Azerbaijani folk tale who outwits divs and kings and the paired companion of Kosa in the Novruz spring performance.: Celal Beydili, Türk Mitolojisi Ansiklopedik Sözlük, Ankara, 2005, s.v. 'Keçel' (secondary); Azərbaycan nağılları, ed. Ə. Axundov, Baku, 1960s (primary)