Bozkır hayatının vazgeçilmezi olan atın, Türk kültür tarihinde müstesna bir yeri vardır. Rakibe karşı üstünlük kurmada kullanılan bir savaş aracı olmasının yanında, günlük hayatın hemen her noktasında atın önemli bir yer işgal ettiğini görmekteyiz. Göçer evli hayat tarzında; yük taşımadan, hem et hem de süt bakımından, gıda teminine kadar en çok tercih edilen hayvan, attır. Bunun yanında atın, Türk’ün hayatında mistik bir yerinin de olduğu bilinmektedir. Eski Türk inancının gereği olarak yaratıcıya takdim edilen kurbanların başında atı görmekteyiz. Kurban olarak kesilecek atın cinsiyetinden rengine kadar birçok kıstas ve ritüelin olduğu bilinmektedir. Ayrıca ölen bir kişinin ölü aşı olarak da o kişinin atının kesilmesi ve etinin dağıtılması oldukça erken dönemlerden beri Türkler arasında sürdürülen bir gelenektir. İslamiyet’e geçişten sonra da Türkler için at kurbanından ve ölü aşı olarak dağıtılıp yenmesinden vazgeçmenin pek kolay olmadığı anlaşılmaktadır. Atın Türk kültür hayatındaki bu ilginç rolünün izlerine birtakım eski Türk destanlarında da rastlıyoruz. Bunun en belirgin örneklerinden biri olan Dede Korkut Kitabı’ndaki anlatmalarda at, hemen her yönüyle karşımıza çıkmaktadır. İncelememizde, Dede Korkut Kitabında, atın kurban edilmesi ve ölü aşı olarak dağıtılması ile ilgili tespitler tarihî veriler ışığında eski Türk inanç ve pratiklerindeki yeriyle karşılaştırmalı olarak ele alınacaktır

Horse, considered as one of the essentials of nomad life, has had a unique role inHorse, considered as one of the essentials of nomad life, has had a unique role inHorse, considered as one of the essentials of nomad life, has had a unique role inhistory of Turkish culture. We have noted that horses have taken very importanthistory of Turkish culture. We have noted that horses have taken very importanthistory of Turkish culture. We have noted that horses have taken very importantplace in almost every sphere of life beside the fact that it is an useful instrumentplace in almost every sphere of life beside the fact that it is an useful instrumentplace in almost every sphere of life beside the fact that it is an useful instrumentutilized during wars in order to gain the upper hand against the enemies. Theutilized during wars in order to gain the upper hand against the enemies. Theutilized during wars in order to gain the upper hand against the enemies. Themost favorite animal has been horse in the nomad type of life in terms of itsmost favorite animal has been horse in the nomad type of life in terms of itsmost favorite animal has been horse in the nomad type of life in terms of itsburden capacity, flesh and milk and supply of food. Beside it is known that horsesburden capacity, flesh and milk and supply of food. Beside it is known that horsesburden capacity, flesh and milk and supply of food. Beside it is known that horseshave a mystic meaning in the life of Turks. As a necessity of old Turkish belief,have a mystic meaning in the life of Turks. As a necessity of old Turkish belief,have a mystic meaning in the life of Turks. As a necessity of old Turkish belief,horses have came first to be sacrificed for the creator. It is known that there hashorses have came first to be sacrificed for the creator. It is known that there hashorses have came first to be sacrificed for the creator. It is known that there hasbeen a lot of criterion and ritual for the sacrificed horse such as its gender andbeen a lot of criterion and ritual for the sacrificed horse such as its gender andbeen a lot of criterion and ritual for the sacrificed horse such as its gender andcolor. Another ancient tradition practiced since the very early era of Turks is tocolor. Another ancient tradition practiced since the very early era of Turks is tocolor. Another ancient tradition practiced since the very early era of Turks is tocut the horse of the dead man and distribute it to the relatives. It is understoodcut the horse of the dead man and distribute it to the relatives. It is understoodcut the horse of the dead man and distribute it to the relatives. It is understoodthat it has not been easy to give up the tradition of horse sacrifice and distribthat it has not been easy to give up the tradition of horse sacrifice and distribthat it has not been easy to give up the tradition of horse sacrifice and distributing it after the acceptance of Islam. We observe the traces of the interestingrole of horse in the history of Turkish culture in some of the old Turkish epics.Horses have been introduced in almost every ways in the narratives of DedeKorkut, one of the significant examples among these epics. In our paper findingsabout the practice of sacrificing horse in the Book of Dede Korkut will be comparatively analyzed in ancient Turkish belief and practices by the help of historical data