Ersari baba

Ersari baba (Turkmen : Ärsary baba) is the legendary leader of the Ersari tribe (one of the major Turkmen tribes),[1] who, or most probably whose historical prototype, lived in 13th or 14th century in Mangyshlak (Mangystau Province) or in the vicinity of Balkan mountains (Balkan velayat of Turkmenistan).

He was the founder of the loose Sayin Khan Turkmen confederation and is considered to be a common ancestor of all Ersari people, who today live predominantly on the banks of the Amudarya River in Lebap velayat of Turkmenistan and northern provinces of Afghanistan.

Gara and Bekevul live in Garabekewul etrap of Lebap velayat (Turkmenistan), Gunesh and Uludepe are found in the northern provinces of Afghanistan.

It is believed that he managed to assemble warring Turkmen tribes who stayed in Central Asia (others left for Anatolia and territories that today are part of Azerbaijan) and put their differences aside to create a new yurt.

He is celebrated among the Ersari people as a hero who played a prominent role in consolidation of Turkmen tribes at that arduous period in Central Asia.