Çoban Dede is a sacred figure associated with a tomb and cemetery located on a hill by the Seyhan Dam Lake, in Karslı Village of Seyhan District in Adana. Although his real name is unknown, the local people refer to him as “Çoban Dede” (Shepherd Grandfather), and there are various legends and tales surrounding him. The tomb is an important site both religiously and culturally and reflects the folk beliefs and traditions of Adana.
Çoban Dede Cemetery
Located at the entrance of Kozağaç Neighborhood, the historical cemetery known by the public as “Çoban Dede” is attributed to an unidentified individual. According to local lore, this cemetery belongs to the shepherd of Hadji İbrahim Sultan, who is buried in Maruf Village. By tradition, those visiting Hacı İbrahim Sultan first pay their respects to Çoban Dede. The cemetery contains many tombstones from the Seljuk period, and it is believed that a nameless tombstone there belongs to Nasreddin Hodja’s wife. This belief is a part of the local folklore and legends.
Çoban Dede Tomb (Akşehir Municipality)
Çoban Dede Tomb
The Çoban Dede Tomb is located on a high hill by the dam lake in Karslı Village. The exact date of construction is unknown, but it is documented that the tomb remained in a neglected state until 1981, when it was restored by a philanthropist named Ayşe Ökmen. Inside the tomb lies a sarcophagus believed to belong to Çoban Dede, which is covered with a Turkish flag and green cloths. The interior of the tomb is divided into three sections: the front section with the sarcophagus, a right-side room containing Qur’ans and prayer books, and a left-side room dedicated to a person nicknamed “Deli Yücel.” A woman is also present at the site to recite the Qur’an for visitors. Although the tomb lacks artistic or historical value, it holds great spiritual significance for the local people.
In the past, access to the tomb was difficult due to the lack of the road; however, it has become more accessible with the construction of Adnan Menderes Boulevard. The area, arranged and transformed into a tomb site by Adana Metropolitan Municipality, is also used as a recreational spot thanks to its scenic view and proximity to the city. The tomb welcomes visitors every day of the week, with peak times on sacred days, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and during spring and summer. Most visitors are locals from Adana, though some come from outside the city.
Çoban Dede Tomb (Akşehir Municipality)
The Story and Legends of Çoban Dede
There is limited written or oral information about Çoban Dede’s identity and life. Locals claim that he was a shepherd during his lifetime and that he used to graze sheep in the area where the tomb now stands. One of the most common beliefs is that he served under Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani and came to Çukurova from Baghdad with his seven brothers. However, the accuracy of these claims is debatable.
A more detailed legend was published in the 1940s in Görüşler: Adana Halkevi Kültür Dergisi and retold by writers such as Arif Nihat Asya. According to this tale, Çoban Dede was a minstrel (âşık) who came from Khorasan to Çukurova with his saz (a traditional string instrument). He was hosted by a Turkmen tribe in Karslı Village and fell in love with the daughter of a local chieftain. Due to their difference in social status, they could not be together. The minstrel spent forty years as a shepherd, and after his beloved's death, expressed his sorrow through his flute. When the chieftain wrongly accused him and sought his execution, Çoban Dede summoned the Çakıt River to prove his innocence; the river changed its course, revealing his sanctity, and Çoban Dede vanished. According to this legend, the spring that flows from the tomb represents Çoban Dede’s tears, and village girls whitewash it during springtime.
Another story, based on more recent times, claims that Çoban Dede was a man who lived a bohemian life with his sheep by the lake until 25–30 years ago. Upon his death, his grave was placed on the hill according to his will. During municipal construction work to level the hill, the grave was discovered and turned into a tomb. The mechanical failures (e.g., bulldozers breaking down) that occurred during attempts to flatten the hill were attributed to Çoban Dede’s spiritual power.
Cultural and Social Importance
The Çoban Dede Tomb is an example of the folk belief system and shrine visitation tradition in Adana. Visitors come here to make wishes, pray, and seek spiritual peace. The area, now called Çoban Dede Park, has been arranged by the municipality with waterfalls, ponds, and viewing platforms, transforming it into both a religious and touristic attraction. While the city has modernized, the tomb has been integrated into urban life and continues to maintain a connection to the past through deeply rooted local legends. Though he is remembered in various narratives—from an unknown shepherd to a saintly elder and even a tragic lover—Çoban Dede holds a significant place in the cultural fabric of Adana. The tomb and its surroundings remain a place where nature and spirituality meet, drawing attention from both locals and visitors alike.
