Since the 13^th century, our beloved character of Turkish folktales, the modest hero and the master of humour, Nasreddin Hodja, has been riding his old donkey backwards! Anecdotes have an important place in Turkish folk literature. Much anecdotal Turkish humour is attributed to certain masters of folk humour such as Keloglan, Indjili Chavush and Bekri Moustapha. Among them, Hodja not only endeared himself to the hearts of the Turkish people, but he has gone beyond national boundaries and become a world famous figure.

He was born in Hortu village, near Sivrihisar in Eskisehir Province, in 1208, lived during the Great Anatolian Seljuk era and died in 1284. His father, Abdullah Hodja, was an imam in Hortu village and his mother was named Sidika. His father taught him Arabic. After going to Konya, he had the opportunity to complete his education at the moslem theological school. He earned a living as an imam and teacher. The folks of Sivrihisar are known for their humour. Since he spent a great part of his life in Aksehir, where he is buried, people of Aksehir also consider him their hero. Festivities are held every year to commemorate Hodja. The festivities feature international cartoon contests, which draw great interest.

As time passed, thousands of anecdotes were attributed to Hodja. Sometimes he appears to be just a simple old man with ordinary everyday troubles such as an obstinate donkey, a babbling wife, or miserly neighbours. Sometimes his life is more colourful as Hodja can be a comical trickster or delightful eccentric. He, however, is often a teacher and moralist, a witty and wise man marked by clear-cut logic and sheer genius. He is a wonderful raconteur and provides good company for all; he is also considered a fair judge with remarkable common sense and a shrewd ability for reading human nature. Hodja is a real folk philosopher, whose humour gives one food for thought.

Although Hodja is often a stranger travelling far away from his little village, he is nonetheless a household name among those is caravans and palaces alike. His delicate sensibility and compassionate, optimistic personality is welcome anywhere, but this does not hide the fact that he can use his tongue sharply against great sultans and cruel kings such as Tamerlane (Lame Timur) whenever he deems necessary.

Hodja loves life: talking with children spending time with animals, communing with nature. He pursues truth, justice, and peace; yet he loves to talk, make jokes, listen to music, travel and be with people. He abhors bigotry, corrupt judges, insolence and sycophancy.

Nasreddin Hodja has no enemies and is well-loved by many across a vast geographic area from Gibraltar to the Himalayas, from Timbuktu to Timor, to Tajikistan, from the Middle East to North Africa, to the Balkans in Eastern Europe throughout the whole world touched by Turkish culture.