NASRUDIN THE WISE FOOL

NASRUDIN THE WISE FOOL

Ever since the 13th Century, Mullah Nasrudin has lived everywhere and nowhere at once. At times he’s clever, then again, dumb, deceitful or foolish, but he’s always wise. On his donkey he travels through the world, telling people what they do not want to hear…

EPISODES

ORIGIN

Nasrudin was a Seljuq satirical Sufi figure, sometimes believed to have lived during the Middle Ages (around the 13th Century) and considered a populist philosopher and wise man, remembered for his funny stories and anecdotes. In many regions, Nasrudin is a major part of the culture, and is quoted or alluded to frequently in daily life.

HIS STORIES

Appear in thousands of stories told from Italy & North Africa to Russia & China. Sometimes witty, sometimes wise, but often, too, a fool or the butt of a joke. A Nasrudin story usually has a subtle humour and an educational nature. Nasrudin stories are told in a wide variety of regions, especially across the Muslim world and have been translated into many languages. Some regions independently developed a character similar to Nasrudin, and the stories have become part of a larger whole that even transcends into modern life.

NAME & TITLE

Many peoples of the Near East, Middle East and Central Asia claim Nasrudin as their own. His name is spelled in a wide variety of ways: Nasrudeen, Nasrudin, Nasruddin, Nasrud-Din, Nasredin, Naseeruddin, Nastrad-hin, Nasreddine, Nastratin, Nusrettin, Nasrettin, Nostradin, Nastradin und Nazaruddin. His name also varies depending the culture and the region. Mullah, Mulla, Mula, Molla, Efendi, Afandi, Ependi, Hajji, Hoxha, Khwaje, Hodja, Hoja, Hojja, Hodscha, Hodža, Hoca, Hogea.