Şeyh Küşteri (see the middle display case) is the mythic initiator of the Karagöz shadow theater.

According to the most cited Turkish legend (in Bursa, anyway), the main characters, Karagöz and Hacıvat were two legendarily clownish individuals employed as construction workers on the building of the Ulu Cami. Their silly antics distracted the other workers, slowing down the construction, and the sultan ordered their execution. They were so sorely missed that even the sultan became curious about them. Şeyh Küşteri came with a solution: he made a screen out of his turban, and two shadow puppets out of his leather slippers, and brought the spirit of Karagöz and Hacıvat back to life, immortalizing them as the silly puppets that would entertain the Ottoman Empire for centuries.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Günaydın Anadolu – Tradities van Turkije’ – cataloog Tentoonstelling Hessenhuis/Antwerpen 1988 ;
Mr. Şinasi Çelikkol from Bursa (puppeteer, initiator of the Bursa Karagöz Museum) & Wikipedia.