Hello dark travelers! Welcome to the Karasakal Horror Club.
Today, I want to tell you a magical and mysterious story that takes place in the depths of Anatolia, both in its known form and in its unknown true form. We will explore together the real identity of the mysterious hero who is known in many Christian regions of the world, the one who brings the most magical moments of the year, the mysterious figure who brings gifts to loved ones: Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas or Aya Nikola). Yes, you heard it right! This father, to some, is just a legend, and to others, a figure that has existed throughout history. But do you know who the real Santa Claus is?
Many of us imagine Santa Claus coming in his big red suit, swinging his white beard. However, the history of this figure has a story that has changed and evolved throughout history, influenced by mythology and traditions. Today, let's take a journey to unravel the true story of Santa Claus by flipping through the pages of history, exploring mythology, and traditions. This story is not only about the New Year but also about a figure that left its mark on human history.
Are you ready? Let's get started!
SARISALTUK BABA OR SANTA CLAUS?
Sarı Saltuk's extraordinary adventure filled with travels to Anatolia upon the advice of Hacı Bektaş Veli and the miraculous events he experienced. Frankly, I had heard this story before, but now, combining it with the new information I've acquired, I thought about Saint Nicholas, also known as Aya Nikola, who is said to have lived in the district of Demre, Antalya. Imagine, a Santa Claus figure in a thick fur-trimmed red hat sliding on a sled in the warmth of Antalya centuries ago—how logical could that be?
Now let's take a look at the SALTUKNAME legend together:
While in Horasan, Sarı Saltuk is advised to go to Anatolia and find Hacı Bektaş Veli. Following this advice, he arrives in the Suluca Karahöyük region. One day, Hacı Bektaş Veli is in seclusion. Coming out of seclusion, he reaches a fountain called Zemzem Pınarı and sees a shepherd walking with his sheep along the spring.
He calls out, "What's your name?" The shepherd replies, "My name is Saru Saltuk." The leader says to him, "Keep going, we have sent you to the Land of Rums." Sarı Saltuk asks the Pir (spiritual leader), "What should I do with the sheep?" The answer he receives is, "Don't leave here until the owner of the sheep comes, then go to Taptık İmre. Send our greetings. Let him give you weapons, make you a companion, then go to the Greeks." Thus, Sarı Saltuk sets out, reaches Taptık İmre, and delivers the message. Taptık gives him a bow and seven arrows. He encases a wooden sword. He also gives a prayer rug. 
Ulu Abdal and Kiçi Abdal are also assigned as companions. According to legend, Ulu Abdal is truly imposing, while Kiçi Abdal is small. Moreover, when we look at the map of Thrace, we see Keçiborlu and Uluborlu. These are known as the places where these two dervishes ascended to the divine. The names of the dervishes have become the names of the regions, as is often the case in Turkish traditions. Sarı Saltuk and his companions' first stop is a place called Harmankaya on the Black Sea coast of Sinop. Even today, where they spread their fur and rested in Sinop, fresh green grass still grows, and it is green all year round. There, they put the prayer rug in the water and ride on it.
The rug takes them to a fortress near Kalikra in the Dobruca region. The trace of the path they took over the sea with the rug from Sinop is still calm and still, no matter how rough the sea is today. Before reaching Kalikra, the first place they landed is Georgia. They are welcomed by Kurayiş, the lord of Georgia, who felt their arrival in advance. The Georgians entertain Sarı Saltuk and his companions, talk with them. Saltuk, during this visit, crowns them with a single act, saying, "Hüseyni." From that day on, the region starts using this type of crown. It continues like this until they reach Kalikra. When they see the sorrowful people of the castle, Sarı Saltuk asks the reason. In the answer given to him, he learns that a seven-headed dragon has kidnapped the children of the region and taken them to a cave. He tells the people not to be afraid, assures them that he and his companions will help the children. Thus, Sarı Saltuk enters the cave. At the entrance of the cave, he encounters the dragon. He shoots one of the seven arrows at each head of the dragon. 
The dragon writhes, but doesn't die, becomes furious, rushes towards Sarı Saltuk with its body, and squeezes him. In this moment of distress, Sarı Saltuk calls out, "Come, oh Hünkâr." Hızır, who is in conversation with Hacı Bektaş in Anatolia, is sent to help by Hünkâr. Immediately, Saltuk receives the message, "Why aren't you using the sword at your waist?" 
Upon this, Sarı Saltuk takes out the wooden sword from his waist, cuts the body of the dragon in half, and kills the dragon that had terrorized the region.
However, the children are nowhere to be seen. Thinking that the frightened children might be in the depths of the cave, Sarı Saltuk advises his dervishes not to be scared and to make the children understand that they have come as friends. Listening to his advice, the dervishes carve various gifts from pine cones and trees, fill them inside their socks, and enter the cave with these gifts to fetch the children. 
The children joyfully welcome the people who bring them gifts. It is late at night, and the surroundings are dark. As they exit the cave with the candles they lit, they don't forget to illuminate the surroundings with candles for the people to better understand what is happening and to realize the truth.
Therefore, they plant candles on the pine trees in the area, and in the light, Sarı Saltuk and his dervishes, along with the rescued children holding gifts, exit the cave and reach the town riding on sleds prepared by the dervishes.
The people of the region rejoice at the destruction of the dragon and the rescue of the children. It is time to hand over the children to their families. 
Sarı Saltuk takes each child in his arms one by one, consoles them, pats their backs, and with good wishes, he hands them over to the people of the region, saying, "Hü, Hü, Hü." 
The people, witnessing the rescue of the children from the dragon, accept Sarı Saltuk as a saint (doesn't this resemble a familiar figure, dear horror-loving friends? A bearded, red-hooded figure giving gifts to children, placing toys in woolen socks, and lighting candles on pine trees. I leave the comparison and similarity to you) in this region, and from then on, the local people start calling him "Aya Nikola," meaning "savior, consoler." However, when they learn that their saviors are Muslim Turks, the locals are surprised. Moreover, these Turks want to share their only food, dried bread, with the local people. In return, the local people share with them and unite, setting up a table on December 24th. The success of the dervishes against the dragon brings satisfaction to the community, but as it happens in almost every community, there are those who cannot tolerate success and friendships. Especially if their order is disturbed, their seats shaken, and their interests are slipping away, those who do not want to stand idly by may appear. Kalikra has such a priest. This priest flies in the sky with magic. He claims that Sarı Saltuk is also a magician. The wise men say that Sarı Saltuk is not a magician but "powerful" and suggest that a fire test should be performed to prove it.
They enter the fire hand in hand. Two days later, Saltuk comes out unharmed, but the priest only has the hand held by Sarı Saltuk; the rest has melted.
At the same time, Hacı Bektaş Veli and Hızır are having a conversation in Akpınar, where Hacıbektaş is. Hacı Bektaş says, "They're making Saltuk sweat; let's give him some coolness" and sprinkles water on the stone. The legends about Sarı Saltuk do not end there. According to one legend, while in Poland, he receives an invitation from Morea. They say, "he can reach Morea in three steps." This place is considered sacred by Christians as well. Here, he encounters a seven-headed monster again. He kills the monster and throws its carcass into the sea. This place is known as the "Corpse Town." Even his death serves as a lesson to people. When he feels he is about to die, Sarı Saltuk asks for 17 coffins to be prepared (according to some records, it is 7) and filled with sandbags equal to his weight. After his death, representatives from the lands he traveled come, saying, "Sarı Saltuk is ours; we want to take him to our land." They are told that the necessary preparations have been made, and they are advised to take a coffin with them on their return. While they are all on the way, unable to resist their curiosity, they open the coffins. It is reported that they see Sarı Saltuk's corpse inside, relax, and continue on their way. Thus, in many places, Sarı Saltuk's station appears today. Some of the most well-known ones are: Crimea, Moscow, Danzig, Poland, Bohemia Pezonika, Sweden Bivanjah, Turkey Babaeski, İznik, Diyarbakır, Bor, Moldova Babadağ, Dobruca Kalikra, Albania Kroya."
And here is the epic story of Sarı Saltuk. This legend has undergone different interpretations in many places over time, leaving traces in different geographies. However, it should be remembered that the boundaries of heroism and benevolence are not determined by language, religion, or geography. The legend of Sarı Saltuk reminds us that differences can be a unifying force. As the Karasakal Horror Club,
while continuing our dark journeys, remember that real heroes, filled with love and benevolence, are always with us. Keep being afraid because even in the darkness, you can find the light of hope. As the Blackbeard Horror Club, we invite you to our next dark journey. Especially in our country, despite the opposition to mixing New Year celebrations with Christmas, now that you know the truth, can't you at least send a Fatiha to the spirit of Sarı Saltuk Baba? May the new year bring health, peace, and happiness to all of you. Happy New Year to all! Hüüü-Hüü-Hüü 😊 See you soon!
İf u want to watch the video: https://cos.tv/videos/play/49427698605134848
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Hello, welcome to the dark world! I'm Karasakal, and here, by opening the doors to eerie and frightening worlds, I invite you to a mysterious journey.
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