Turkic Epics: The Creation in Turkic Mythology
Before anything existed, there was only God Kayra Han and the vast, endless water. There was no moon, no sun, and no earth. As Kayra Han drifted in solitude, the water rippled. Ak Ana (The White Mother) emerged and said to God, "Create!" before sinking back into the depths. Upon this, Kayra Han created a being similar to himself and named him "Kishi" (Man/Person).
Kayra Han and Kishi began to fly over the endless water like two black geese. However, Kishi desired to fly higher than his creator. He failed, losing his strength and falling into the water. As he was about to drown, he pleaded with God. Kayra Han commanded, "Rise!" and Kishi was saved from the depths.
God Kayra Han then decided to create the world. He ordered Kishi, "Dive into the water and bring up earth!" But Kishi harbored evil thoughts; he hid some of the earth in his mouth, intending to create a secret place for himself. When he scattered the earth from his palm onto the water, God commanded the earth to "Grow!" and it became the world. However, the earth hidden in Kishi's mouth also began to grow. Terrified, Kishi pleaded for help. God commanded, "Spit!" The wet earth Kishi spat out scattered across the land, forming hills and mounds. Angered by this betrayal, God banished Kishi from his realm and renamed him Erlik (The Evil One/Satan).
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