Ayaz Ata (Uzbek:Ayoz Bobo,Kyrgyz:Аяз ата,romanized: Ayaz ata,Kazakh:Аyaz Ata,Turkmen:Aýaz Baba,Bashkir:Ҡыш Бабай,romanized: Qış Babay,Tatar:Кыш бабай,romanized: Qış babay,Azerbaijani:Şaxta Baba,Yakut:Чысхаан,romanized: Çısxân) is a winter god originating fromTengrism^[1] and a fictional tale character that it represents who is basically a more Turkic version ofSanta Claus orDed Moroz.

Ayaz Ata

Kyrgyz stamp from 2007 showingAyaz Ata with two birds and a text sayingАяз Атага Кат (English:Letter to Ayaz Ata)
Similar entities	Ded Moroz,Santa Claus,Sinterklaas,Amu Nowruz
Folklore	Turkic
Other name(s)	Ayaz Baba, Şaxta Baba, Chyskhaan, Kysh Babay
Region	Central Asia,North Asia,Caucasus,Volga Region,Anatolia
Habitat	Central Asia,North Asia,Volga Region

The literal translation of the name would beFrost Father, although the name is often translated asGrandfather Frost. He's the winter god in Tengrism and according toTurkic mythology is created of Moon light, caused by cold weather and associated with bringing snow, protecting people from too cold weather and "waking the nature up from its sleep".^[2]

Literary depictions of Ayaz Ata commonly show him accompanied byKar Kız (Tatar:Кар Кызы orQar Qızı means "Snow Girl" or "Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper, sometimes with influence ofSlavicSnegurochka,^[3] who is often depicted in long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ayaz Ata because no traditional gift-givers from other cultures, besidesDed Moroz, are portrayed with a similar companion.

InAzerbaijani, Ayaz Ata is known asŞaxta Baba (English:Grandfather Frost) and his companion grandchild is known asQar Qızı, who Şaxta Baba brings gifts to children atNew Year's Eve with together. Every December, actors playing Şaxta Baba and Qar Qızı stand next to aChristmas tree (Azerbaijani:Yolka orYeni il ağacı) atBaku Boulevard and other attractions in Baku, giving away presents to and taking pictures with children. Since 2014 however, every actor needs a license costing up to $75.^[4][5]

InBashkir andTatar, Ayaz Ata is known asҠыш бабай/Кыш бабай (Qïş babay/Kïş babay, literally:WinterFather), and his granddaughter is asҠарһылыу (Qarhïlïw,Snow beauty).^[6][7][8]

Chyskhaan (Yakut:Чысхаан,romanized: Chyskhaan) is known as the master of cold, accompanied by the snow maidenKhaarchana (Yakut:Харчаана,romanized: Kharchaana) inYakutia. He is very similar to Ded Moroz, however a more "East Asian" version of him.^[9][10][11]

Аяз Ата (Ayaz Ata) is the same term used in bothKazakh andKyrgyz, while theUzbeks andTurkmens useAyoz Bobo/Aýaz Baba, replacing the word for father with grandfather. The term for Snow girl however is different in all 4 languages (Kazakh:Aqşaqar,Kyrgyz:Аяз кыз,romanized: Ayaz kyz,Uzbek:Qorqiz,Turkmen:Gar gyz)

• Russian Ded Moroz and Kyrgyz Ayaz Ata
• Grandfather Frost