TN TURKISH FOLKLORE AND IN conversational Turkish the Negro is called "Arab," but such typical figures in the Karag6z (shadow-plays) as the beggar, the candy seller, and the coffee-grinder are often called "white Arabs," and are real Arabs.1 They bear such names as Haci Kandil (Pilgrim Candle), Haci Fitil (Pilgrim Wick), or Haci $amandira (Pilgrim Match). The Arab beggar is, for example, a conventional figure in shadowplays as early as the time of Evliya Qelebi or the seventeenth century.2 He is a typical hypocrite and simpleton, who (because he is a haci or pilgrim) tries to makes a living at other's expense, pays with prayers instead of money, passes himself off as a holy man, and tries to play tricks on women. His pedantic and affected manner of speech-which is supposed to imitate the speech of Arabs-is one of the varieties of characterization used in the shadowplays.3 There are also real Negroes in the shadow-plays. The slave of Hacivad or the attendant of the Celebi is a figure whose dialect and childish dignity are definitely ridiculous.4 The Negro eunuch, who is a similar figure, is a stupid simpleton and nouveau riche, who gives himself an air of importance. The same comic type also appears in popular jokes, especially those concerned with palace life and the jokes belonging to the cycle of the "Incili Cavu$."5 The Arab (i.e. the Negro) plays a much more important role in the folk tale (masal) and popular tale (halk hikayesi) than in the shadow-plays. He represents both the positive character who does good and the negative or bad character. Both types are more clearly conceived than in the plays. The figure of the Negro can easily become, in variant versions, another character which has the same function. In many folk tales the Negro has the role of Hizlr, a saint who does good and helps the distressed. When he appears in this function, he is often called "Of-Arab" or "Of-Lala" and appears as soon as a man in difficulties says "of." Then he answers, "My name is Of, you called me, and here I am. What do you want?" Then he does all that is desired, even performing supernatural acts.6