Kockar Ata

Today, Kockar Ata is a topic of great relevance and interest in society. For a long time, Kockar Ata has been the subject of study and debate in different fields and disciplines. Its importance lies in its direct impact on people's daily lives, as well as its influence in political, cultural, economic and social spheres. In this article, we will explore different aspects and perspectives related to Kockar Ata, analyzing its evolution over time and its relevance today. In addition, we will reflect on possible challenges and opportunities that Kockar Ata presents in the current context. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we will seek to provide a comprehensive view on Kockar Ata and its importance in contemporary society.

Kockar Ata (Khodzha-Kochkari, Koçqər-i Chodja or Koçkır-i Baba) was a dervish of Ahmad Yasavi. "Ram" is the meaning of his name. According to common belief Koçkar Ata is from Teke Turcomans. In his time the people were making the rams fight and since his ram was the champion of each match, he was named as Kochkar. His real name is not to be known. After Koçkar Ata's death, his ram could not resist the separation and it died on his grave. So a ram statue had been put over Koçkar Ata's grave. There is scripture in Arabic alphabet as"ya Allah, ya Muhammed, ya Ali".[citation needed]

Also, some Clans like "Koçgiri" and "Köşkerler" are named after him.[citation needed]

There are many legends about the city "Kochkor-Ata" in Kyrgyzstan and why that place became sacred. Some people say that Kockar/Kochkor Ata was a Muslim saint and was buried in that place after his death. Since then, the place of his burial became a place of pilgrimage for many people. Others connect the history of Kochkor Ata shrine with Kyrgyz folklore. Thus, Kazakh ethnographer Chokan Valikhanov mentions that Kazakh sultan Barak, who lived at the end of the 18th century, “became careless, and showing off his strength he invaded the sacred place of the Kyrgyz, Koshkar Ata.” The Kirghiz became angry, attacked Barak’s camp, and pursued his army as far as the Ili River. “The Kirghiz,” writes Valikhanov, “attributed their enemies’ escape to the holiness of Kochkor Ata" . There is another legend told by a man from Cholpon Ata, who said that Arslanbab (a mazar in Southern Kyrgyzstan) had seven children. And the seven mazars, Oisul Ata, Karakol Ata, Shïng Ata, Manzhïl Ata, Cholpon Ata, Kochkor Ata, Oluia Ata, were built in their honor . In the Soviet period, as part of the effort to discourage Islamic practice, the authorities undertook severe measures to prevent worship at mazars.[citation needed]

List of villages named after "Kockar Ata"