If you've ever been to Turkey, you may have heard the popular children's rhyme “Dandini Dandini Dastana”. This catchy tune has been passed down through generations and is now one of the most beloved nursery rhymes in Turkey. But what’s the story behind this timeless classic? Let’s find out!

The origins of “Dandini Dandini Dastana” are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that the rhyme dates back hundreds of years.

Hartug Dandini, the father of Kutlug Dandini and Farsus Dastana, one of the protagonists of our legend, migrated from Mesopotamia to Anatolia in the 7th century to spread the religion of Jesus. Father Hartug, who is heavily involved in religious affairs, cannot spare much time for his children. Their children, on the other hand, are busy hunting crows in their father's orchard and lounging on every lawn they can find. These two brothers are very curious about sexuality. Dasdana constantly tells the Dandini sexual stories and talks about the widows he was with. Dandini, who is quieter and more reserved than his brother, feels jealous and lustful in the face of what his brother tells. Dandini gets up early one morning and goes to the village square and draws a picture on one of the walls depicting the sexual relationship of Dasdana and a woman. Under the picture, an incomprehensible inscription reads “Farsus Dasdana, son of Hartug Dandini! Why did you sleep with Elbas Surkan?" he writes. Seeing this, his father beats Dandini well.

Despite all the opposition of his father, Kutlug Dandin begins to learn swordsmanship. Farsus Dasdana, on the other hand, does what he has dreamed of for a long time and has succeeded in seducing a peasant girl. And finally Dandini and Dastana kill their father Hartung Dandini.

This story, which has spread by word of mouth in Anatolia since that day, was told over time by removing some parts of it in order to put the children to sleep (to frighten them).
It is not known whether we slept because of fear or because we were really sleepy while listening to this lullaby as a child, but it is a fact that behind every unknown lies a reality and behind every truth lies a history.

Here is the translation of this popular Rhyme